How should a Christian respond when tragedy hits?

from the old testament

• Though all may seem to be falling apart around us, God is our help and our hope. A believer's response during times of tragedy should be to focus on God rather than the circumstances: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling" (Psalm 46:1-3; cf. Psalm 62, 91). Circumstances change, but God never does.
• God is near to His children during tragic times: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18; cf. Psalm 73:26, 147:3).
• Job experienced more tragedy than most can imagine, losing his children and all his possessions. Yet his response was to stay faithful to God: "And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (John 1:21-22).

from the new testament

• Jesus didn't promise His followers a trouble-free life; in fact, He warned that they would experience tribulation (John 16:33). But all believers have the blessed promise of eternal life, a life in which God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
• Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and more (2 Corinthians 11:23–27), yet he could say of God, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).  Christians can turn to God for strength to face tragedies.
• Even while experiencing tribulation, we should rejoice in the Lord and, as Paul wrote, "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
• When tragedy hits those in our circle, we're to comfort them and mourn with them (Romans 12:15; cf. Galatians 6:2).

implications for today

Sympathy cards, self-help books, grief groups—society has ways to help people deal with tragedy. Some may help . . . for a time. But none can help as God can. That's because no one knows our innermost heart as He does (1 Samuel 16:7).

Is your heart broken or your spirit crushed because of a tragedy in your life? Or do the difficulties in life continue to persist and even increase? Life can be card. But remember: God is near to you (Psalm 34:18). Call out to Him. If a tragedy has brought you to your knees, stay on your knees and pray. Cry out to God for mercy to alleviate the pain, for strength to overcome the heartache, for endurance to be faithful even in the difficulties of life. Ask for His guidance and care to get through the circumstances. He won't disappoint you.

God has provided us with all we need to face what life hands us, including a church family, for support during hard times. Don't try to get through the pain alone; talk to your pastor and trusted church brothers and sisters. You do not have to go through it alone. And when those people fail you, don't lose heart. Keep faithfully following God, keep seeking those who will be the tangible hands and feet of Jesus, keep pressing in. He is near.

And if you see someone going through the hardships of life, don’t assume they need answers more than they need presence. Sit with them. Pray for them. Be willing to listen without rushing to fix what is broken. Sometimes the most Christlike thing you can do is simply remain near, just as God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). God is near, and we can help point people to the only One who can heal and carry what nothing else ultimately can.