Processing the Pain of Senseless Evil

Processing the Pain of Senseless Evil

Posted by Oak Ridge Baptist Church on Monday, November 6, 2017

“Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people…”
(Ecclesiastes 8:14, NCV)

 

How To Respond to Tragedy

 

1. RELEASE MY GRIEF.

 “They are blessed who grieve, for God will comfort them.” (Matthew 5:4, NCV)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18, NLT)

“unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NJB)

2. RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM OTHERS.

“We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” (Hebrews 10:25, GW)

You need to CONGREGATE not ISOLATE.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV)

3. REFUSE TO BECOME BITTER.

“[Some people] have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.” (Job 21:25, GNB)

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” (Hebrews 12:15b, The Living Bible)

4. REMEMBER WHAT’S IMPORTANT.

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NIV)

Faith in God’s provision:

“I think you ought to know…we were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us…And he did help us and saved us.” (2 Corinthians 1:8–10, The Living Bible)

Focus on God’s promise:

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)

2 Comments
  • Carolyn Adkins
    Posted at 06:45h, 09 November Reply

    Thank you Pastor Brian. I learn from you everytime you speak. The tragedy in Texas was devastating to me and most everyone. We can apply your message tonight to any tragedy we face in life.
    Having a church family I love I still find it difficult to ask for help. I will work on that. Thank you again for always being “spot on” with your message.

  • Brian Moss
    Posted at 12:23h, 09 November Reply

    Thanks Carolyn!

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