The Hurricane Katrina has created some very difficult tragedies and trials on so many lives over the last two weeks! As our friend Rick Warren came back from being there for three days he said, "The physical devastation is even worse than what you see on TV. The sights and sounds and smells are overwhelming. But what is really painful is the emotional and spiritual toll from the storm. More than a million people lost virtually everything in an instant. Their homes are destroyed. Their jobs are gone. All their possessions are lost. And at least some member of their family is missing or dead. Every single person I talked to had a family member who was missing."

Many people are struggling with resentment, shame, and negative attitudes resulting from their experience. As time unfolds I would ask people to see the benefits, which resulted from the trials. You may think to yourself, "What benefits?"

I'm going to ask you a very difficult question based on two Scriptures—1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Romans 8:28. Do you think that right now you could thank God that this happened to you?

Most people would say, "You've got to be kidding me." "I could never thank God. The only thing I could ever by thankful for is that I survived. " I'm thankful for that."

I'm not asking you to be 'thankful' that it was a terrible experience. I'm just asking you to be willing to say, 'Thank you, God, for that trial because I know you can turn it into good. I just can't see the good now'" (Isaiah 61:3; Romans 8:28).

Many don't think they could do that, which is understandable. However, I challenge you to work through your feelings. Every major trial is humbling. But God only gives His grace to the humble. (James 4:6)

You received a priceless blessing that will enable you to better love others in a genuine way. That is, greater sensitivity. You will and have become very alert to those who hurt or have gone through tragedies and need help!

It's only naturally that when something terrible happens to us, we become even more aware of and sensitive to the sufferings of those around us. Awareness and sensitivity then become the basis of genuine love—being able to detect another person's need and having the motivation to meet that need in an effective way.

The first step to gaining a positive attitude is to discover the benefits of the negative situations. (Incidentally, I haven't heard of a situation yet that lacked positive benefits.) It often seems that more tragic the situation, the greater the positive consequences. I am not saying that as we recognize the positive side of a negative situation, we can be liberated from the chains that tie us to guilt, resentment, despair, and any other negative feeling which has held us captive.

With this principle, I must include two cautions: First, I am not providing an excuse to do something wrong, with the rationalization that something good will come of it. I believe that such reasoning is shallow and perverted in that the wrongdoer is always the loser (Luke 17:1-2). Second, people who are suffering from tragedy don't need flippant statements such as, "I know you can find some good in this if you really try." So first be sensitive to their emotions and their immediate needs for comfort. When the time is right, after empathic comfort has been extended graciously and gently, then you can begin to help them see the benefits of their problems.

The more you discover the inherent benefits of your own trials, the more positive your attitude will become. As a result, you will desire to spend more time helping others who go through a similar experience.

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

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