I have a friend who retired from law enforcement a few years ago who had an elementary aged daughter to pass away unexpectedly. At the time, his daughter had a very rare disease that was not detected. While we are all so thankful for medical advancements, we all know that technology is improving, but it is not perfect. Of course at the time of my friend’s daughter’s passing, our community was devastated. I remember attending the visitation and funeral service of the little girl and literally weeping the entire time; I couldn’t stop. I was a young father with young children. It was very difficult to witness what my friend and his family were going through!
As time moved on ever so slowly and painfully, my friend and his wife chose to be proactive in responding to the aftermath of losing a child. To my knowledge, they did not pursue litigation or attempt to win a lawsuit due to a misdiagnosis. The family ended up partnering with a children’s hospital in our state and conducted fundraisers to benefit a part of the partnering hospital’s facility and to assist children and families of those who had the same diagnosis as their daughter. In addition to seek to help others on a larger and regional scale, my friend and his wife assisted local families in different ways.
I once bumped into my friend at a funeral home visitation of someone else who had lost a child. While I was talking with my friend, he said one of the things he and his wife try to do is look for ways to help someone who has lost a family member unexpectedly or by way of a tragedy in an effort to provide empathy and support. I was taken aback by this gesture. By example, as difficult as it was, he wasn’t going to waste his pain. He has used this difficult time to help others and reflect our hope in God.
Where we put our trust will allow us to focus on the solution of Christ and hope instead of the pain and lament of our situation. We know that the Lord is our fortress during our time of adversity. Psalm 31:1-5says, In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
I sincerely hope you have never experienced the tragedy of losing someone in such as a painful way as my friend, but on some level, we all can relate to dealing with grief and loss. It can be difficult picking up the pieces so to speak. We know we should put our trust in the Lord and never be ashamed to do so. We must pray to God to deliver us and know He is our protector, our rock! As the world and our problems may “pull us,” may we be guided because of our walk with Christ. Jesus has redeemed us (John 3:13-16) and our guide, Scripture, is truth.
I truly believe that in the face of challenges lies opportunities. Are challenges comfortable, easy, or painless? Absolutely not! But, when faced with challenges, we can help others, rely on God, and imitate Christ. Don’t waste your pain.
