ordinary life - extraordinary faith

Tragedy and the Rock That is Higher than I

Tragedy and the Rock That is Higher than I

This week, our church family –  our community of friends has been shaken by tragedy.

I have hesitated writing about it, but it is all I can think about.  It is what is on my heart every moment.

But how do you move forward?

How do you continue on?

It seems impossible.

These questions loom as I know they do for so many.  After a tragedy, it seems all of life is altered just a bit.  I write a blog, one that is mostly for the purpose of encouragement and maybe a little amusement.  But here I am, unable to conjure up either.

There are no inspirational quotes, no witty quips, no dynamic one-liners for this kind of thing.

Friends, I am completely undone.  We all are.

So how do you pick up and take the next step?  How do you move forward when the worst happens?  How do you go back to what you were doing the moment before you knew.  The moment before the test results say “cancer” or the spouse says “goodbye” or the OB says “we can’t find a heartbeat”.  The moment before a storm devastates a town or terrorists invade a village or a family loses a child.

The moment before that text that stole your breath in the middle of IKEA on a Sunday afternoon.  The one that had you crying out to God right there in the Self-Serve section with the kids climbing and the crowds staring and you just trying to take that next step, the next breath.

Friends, I wish I had an answer.  I wish I could give a formula for coping. For surviving.  But I can’t.

I just don’t know how to move forward quite yet.  But there are things that I do know.  And while they don’t change what happens to us, they change us.  They change who we are.

Here’s what I know:

I know that “we have this hope that is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

I know that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I know that “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  His mercy is new every morning; great is His faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

I know that “he carried our sorrows.”  Isaiah 53:4

I know that “the lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

I know that “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”  Psalm 62:1-2

You see, I don’t know why things happen or even how to move forward, but I do know the One who does.  And because He knows – I don’t have to.

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”  Psalm 61:1

Rock 2

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4 thoughts on “Tragedy and the Rock That is Higher than I”

  • Thank you for sharing Bethanee! God’s word is the best comfort and advice…always! Letting go of the ‘why’ and clinging to the ‘Who’.

  • Love this Bethanee! Thank you for sharing your heart and words! You are so right we don’t have to know how to pick up and take that next step because God has already gone before us and is leading the way! We just need to lean and press into Him and He will guide us and carry us!

  • Well said, Bethanee. God and his Word are what will carry us through when we feel we just can’t do it. Thanks for reminding us all.

  • Amen!! We can say we trust the Lord, but the only way to know if we really trust is when we have to trust in the hard. So thankful for God’s Word! Great post!

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