Preparing for the Unexpected

I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me.” ― author Joshua Graham

How do people survive what is clearly insurmountable tragedy?

A teenager accidentally hits his sister with the car, resulting in her death. Two tragedies right there. A wife taken too soon. A healthy typical bodied person who loses limbs or their eyesight.

I think of people whose lives have been transformed like this, and I try to put myself in their places. I think I have an empathetic sense and a good imagination, but I just can’t even do it.

graveyard image

How do those people get the strength to get up in the morning?

How can they eat, let alone keep up their faith?

I once worked with a woman whose son was struck by lightning while he was working on the family barn. I met her five years later. She was functioning on a day to day basis. She was delightful. But she was touched by inherent sadness.

It affected every facet of her life.


I have been ruminating on a Sunday sermon from several weeks ago when our pastor, referencing 2 Corinthians 3:18 said, “Are you willing to be transformed into His likeness through this trial?

I think of people who have kept their faith through horrendous tragedy and I imagine that this is a great comfort.

As I go through my own adversity, I have started to take this verse to heart. It gives me strength. I feel as if I am growing when I read and pray over those words. What a joyful feeling, despite the pain.

I can’t image at all the pain that others have felt. My small afflictions have felt all-encompassing and yet I know they were not. I pray that the practice of focusing on Him through pain and tragedy will give me peace and help me grow in His armor.

As you spend time meditating or praying this week, take some time to examine 2 Corinthians 3:18.

A gem cannot be polished w/out friction








This entry was posted in Health, Reflection and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply