Pastor Terry Cheek Th.D.

www.theinspiringword.org

I am writing this month with a heavy heart. The school shooting in Florida is just 24 hours old. The MSM is running rampant with stories that haven’t been proven. Political posturing has begun to take a toll on the nation. People are being polarized once again by social engineers, social media and cultural icons.

The victims and their families are left traumatized and vulnerable to manipulation. Most of us reading this article and even myself as I write it cannot begin to understand the sorrow these people are living. I can’t imagine getting a phone call and being told my daughter (who is a teacher) and two of my grandchildren at the same school have been killed by a gunman who entered the school. Yet, I realize it’s possible, given the day we live in. What can we possibly learn from Gods word about tragedies like these and how we should handle them?

I want to share with you 10 pieces of scripture that I hope will help you today or at some point in your life. Because in some way shape form or fashion tragedy will strike us all.

1. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

If we continue to look for a solution to violence on Earth, we will never find it. No one can solve these problems. Instead, we must start putting our trust back in the Lord. We have pushed God out of America, it shows with the culture of violence we have. I remember going to school and every car and truck in the parking lot had a rifle or shotgun in it. There were no school shootings. Because we respected life and the giver of life.

2. Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

When we send our cares, our worries and our praises to the Lord, he hears us and blesses those who claim his name. The Lord said often, that he would never cast his eyes from his children when they called out to him. We cannot hope to begin seeing change on this planet if we continue to ignore the person who loves us the most.

3. Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

God knows all. He knows the sorrow we feel and knows when our hearts are heavy. When this world seems too scary to face alone, remember to put your trust in the Lord, and know that his plan will conquer all.

4. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

He promises His people, no matter the situation, he will never leave us. No matter our fear, he is with us.

5. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

There is comfort in the Lord for those who are mourning tragedy. Calling upon him in our time of need is not being weak, it is showing that our trust has been put in Him and that He is who we seek out in our times of grief.

6. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

There is comfort in the Lord to those who genuinely reach out to him.

7. Lamentations 3:47-48 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction. (48) Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

The Lord is not ignorant of our sufferings. For those who call out to him, he is there to provide peace.

8. Lamentations 3:55-57 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. (56) Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. (57) Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou said, Fear not.

The Lord gives us strength when we are weak and gives us comfort when we are scared.

9. Romans 12:17-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Revenge is not ours to take. Evil weighs down our hearts and becomes a never-ending cycle. The Lord will avenge those who chose to live an evil life with justice.

10. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Continue to look towards the son in all you do. Do not let the evil in this world overcome your conviction to do what is godly and right. A small ripple can lead to a wave, either good or bad.