In the wake of yet another senseless killing, it is important we each do our part to help each other grapple with death, injustice, and tragedy.
These events happen again and again. Another shooting. Another mass murder. Attacks on theatres, schools, churches, college campuses and entertainment venues. Innocent people lose their lives. Families devastated. Futures that will never be realized. It is heart-breaking.
These events happen again and again. Another shooting. Another mass murder. Attacks on theatres, schools, churches, college campuses and entertainment venues. Innocent people lose their lives. Families devastated. Futures that will never be realized. It is heart-breaking.
Where was God in all this?
For many, these are times to question God.
Well, the answer is we have taken God out of society, out of schools, out of the US currency. Many people have lost any sense of justice and regard for human life and they have succumbed to their animal instincts.
Why did this happen again? Doesn't anyone care? Some answers we won't know this side of Heaven, but we do know this. God does care and He does see. Psalm 56:8 says this: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." This verse is somewhat comforting to me in times of sorrow.
Yet, what to do in the aftermath? How to move on? Having been through many losses myself, I can share some insight that perhaps will help soothe the pain and lend some sort of healing balm to the hurting heart.
1. Take time to grieve and process.
Grief is a deep and difficult emotion. I think it may be one of the most difficult to process. Get support. A counselor or a support group will understand and help you through this time. Be gentle with yourself. Don't medicate, ignore, or repress your feelings. Don't act out. We need to move through the pain so it will move through and out of us in due time. Give yourself permission to cry. Crying is healing.
2. Cherish the memories.
Grief is a deep and difficult emotion. I think it may be one of the most difficult to process. Get support. A counselor or a support group will understand and help you through this time. Be gentle with yourself. Don't medicate, ignore, or repress your feelings. Don't act out. We need to move through the pain so it will move through and out of us in due time. Give yourself permission to cry. Crying is healing.
2. Cherish the memories.
We can't bring the person back, but we can keep them alive in our minds. When something tragic happens, we gain a new perspective of life. We don't take things or people for granted any more. We cherish the times together with our loved ones. We become more empathic, more patient with loved ones. No one really knows how long we have on this earth. Each day is a precious gift, but all too often we take for granted the time we have been graciously given. Slow down. Smell the roses. Reprioritize.
3. Don't waste the pain.
There is always a message or a lesson in the tragic and painful circumstances of life. Yes, events may appear random, but if we take the time to investigate, we may see a pattern. Patterns lead to the awareness of a problem. Awareness leads to solutions. As Obama once stated, these shootings have become routine. Routine! Ask the victims families about routine! But he is right. No one is taking action. No one is asking the tough questions like: Where has the respect for the sanctity of life gone? Why is there no limit to the number of guns in any one household? Why do we keep electing officials who allow these senseless killings to continue? Is the police force really keeping people safe? Do we really have freedom of speech?
4. Remember there is evil in the world.
3. Don't waste the pain.
There is always a message or a lesson in the tragic and painful circumstances of life. Yes, events may appear random, but if we take the time to investigate, we may see a pattern. Patterns lead to the awareness of a problem. Awareness leads to solutions. As Obama once stated, these shootings have become routine. Routine! Ask the victims families about routine! But he is right. No one is taking action. No one is asking the tough questions like: Where has the respect for the sanctity of life gone? Why is there no limit to the number of guns in any one household? Why do we keep electing officials who allow these senseless killings to continue? Is the police force really keeping people safe? Do we really have freedom of speech?
4. Remember there is evil in the world.
How anyone can deny the duality of good and evil in light of terror and tragedy is beyond me. People do evil things. It can't always be blamed or excused by mental illness. People are responsible for their actions and their choices. Where was the dad or the mom who allowed the purchase of these weapons into the household? What emotional wound has gone unaddressed and unhealed? What were the warning signs that were ignored? Evil is a part of life on this earth.
5. Keep your faith in God.
5. Keep your faith in God.
We don't always understand why bad things happen, but as Job once said "Shall we only receive good things from the hand of God?" (Job 2:10) Trust that He will get you through this pain. You will heal in time and you will see your loved one again in Heaven someday. There will be no more pain and no more tears then. Know that God does care and He cries with you. His heart breaks when ours does. He, too, lost a child so he knows how we feel. I sometimes think He must be shaking his head, asking "When will they do something?"
The question is when will WE do something? Will we examine our own prejudices and animosities? We will vote for stricter laws and punishments that fit the crimes? Will we put God back into our culture? Will we feel the pain these families feel instead of turning our backs? Next time you go out to vote, will you make gun laws and mental health issues a major factor in your decision? Will you demand justice for all?
The question is when will WE do something? Will we examine our own prejudices and animosities? We will vote for stricter laws and punishments that fit the crimes? Will we put God back into our culture? Will we feel the pain these families feel instead of turning our backs? Next time you go out to vote, will you make gun laws and mental health issues a major factor in your decision? Will you demand justice for all?
For Reflection
If anything, I hope this post has made you pause and think. Your family may not have been affected, but it could have been. Will you step up to the plate and be a voice for those who have already lost loved ones? Will you speak up when you see someone acting strange or suspicious? We are the eyes and ears of safety in this world.
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Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom to help us all find healing, wholeness, and harmony so you can ignite the power within and discover your destiny!
Keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
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