The flooding tragedy in Texas is slipping from the news headlines, but the search for the missing continues, the funerals for the deceased begin, and the families that lost everything are working to put together what the next season of life brings.
How do you move on?
As the shock of a tragedy wanes and the reality of the loss sinks in, one can begin to wonder, “How do I move on?” or “What is next?”
The memories and the trauma don’t go away. The loved one doesn’t come back. The history in your mind can never be erased.
Moving on is hard. Picking up the pieces of memories can be hard.
Let’s not underestimate the challenge. Let’s keep praying for peace for those affected and as we are able to offer assistance to those finding themselves in need.
Along with the practical, let me offer a few Bible passages of promise that help in any tragedy, personal or widespread. File these away. Use them personally. Share them with someone who is going through the heartache.
- Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
In the middle of a book full of grief and mourning over Jerusalem’s destruction, this verse reminds us that God’s love and mercy remain constant. No tragedy can remove his love. No loss includes the mercy of God. You are loved.
- Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Sometimes in the middle of loss, we believe the lie that God has abandoned us. This is simply not true. This verse reassures us that God is near in our pain and that He cares deeply about our sorrow and suffering.
- Isaiah 61:1–3 (NIV)
“…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners…
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Jesus fulfilled these verses and comes to bring us all we need: freedom, joy, and reason for praise. As we are connected with Jesus, we can anticipate that out of the extreme hardship, he will bring healing, restoration, and a new beginning, showing that God transforms grief into joy.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NIV)
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Can you relate with these emotions: “hard pressed, perplexed, abandoned”? Tragedy seems overwhelming, and it can be. Hardship can confuse us. Suffering sometimes feels very lonely. Yet as Paul acknowledges these things, he also finds strength to be resilient and realized that he is not crushed, not alone, and not destroyed. With the strength of the Lord, it’s about enduring and rising again after being knocked down.
- Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Tragedies we experience on earth, don’t have the final say. Because of the love of God and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we have heaven to look forward to. Our suffering, as difficult as it is is temporary. Our time with Jesus is forever. We have a future where tragedy is not the final say.!
Apply: Memorize one of these five verses and find one person to share it with who needs the promise of God amidst a season of hardship.
Prayer: Lord, in the midst of our brokenness, we cling to Your unfailing love. Restore what’s been lost, bind our wounds, and breathe new hope into weary hearts. Help us trust Your purpose, even in pain. Turn our mourning into joy, and remind us daily that Your mercies are new. You are near, and You make all things new. Amen.