- Two weeks ago, two teenagers were struck by a car as they were leaving a local carnival. They were attempting to cross Ritchie Highway. Last I heard, one was in critical condition; the other, in stable condition.
- A colleague of a praise team member drowned in the Gulf of Mexico while on vacation. He was in his 50's.
- Peaceful Norway has been shaken by a bomb in a downtown building and a crazy gunman who single-handedly killed scores of young people attending a youth conference.
I do not know the people in these circumstances personally, and yet they still make my heart hurt.
- Closer to home, my stepfather has been struggling with Parkinsons and he continues to get worse. That, along with dementia, are taking him away from my mom and our family, even though his body is still with us.
I want to blame the environment, our diet, our fast-paced lives for these tragedies and for the insanity. It must be something about how we're living today that is causing all this. But then I remember that Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble" and I realize that back in Jesus' time (and yes, way before) trouble has a way of rearing its head and causing grief.
Our sinful hearts play a part in some of the tragedies. Others just come out of the blue, through no fault of our own. In the middle of it all, I pray that Psalm 34:18 is true. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." And I cling to what Jesus said after reminding us of the world's trouble: "But take heart, I have overcome the world!"
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