For a while now Ive been ministering in lve to homeless people in the major cities around my area.
Well now a new challenge came around where the homeless closest to me have been struck down in depression and hurt due to circumstances that have come back up.
Even one man who has been a dry alcoholic for maaaaaaaaaaany years is falling back and isolating himself.
Thats just one of many people struck. Another had his wife and child murdered many years ago and hasnt been able to come anywhere.
I will have to start going to their housings and uplift them more but there has been questions coming up like "oh so if theres a God why did he take my wife and Child" and things like that.
Please pray for guidance, hope and wisdom for all parties in this. Bible verses on how Jesus dealt with the broken are very appreciated.
Thanks
It's very difficult for people of faith who encountered horrific tragedies to come to terms on why this happened and yes they will get angry at God and ask him, "why them?" it's human nature to blame and get angry at someone and most would direct theirs at God. That is part of the stages of grief.
One thing I learned over the years when dealing with grief stricken families is you don't fight fire with fire.
Let them vent their frustrations and anger at everything and just be there to listen and be a shoulder for them to cry on. Once they have calmed down that's when you talk to them and establish rapport. Never say you understand what they're going through unless you've had the same tragedy as them, you will never understand.
I know someone who's sister and mom were gang raped when their house was invaded by robbers. it was the wrong house. Their target was supposed to be the house next to them. Her father and brother were beaten and tied up and her sister and her mom were gang raped by several men while their family watched, helpless. My friend was 12 at that time so they just knocked her out and tied her with the rest. Nothing was the same after that. They were a very faithful and wonderful family. They stopped going to church after that. Her sister suffered horrible injuries and she was on a trance like state for weeks, not speaking and just staring into space. To add to the grief her brother died by a freak accident months after that.
When we learned what happened we cried. We were sad and angry as to why them?? they were good people!
Our brothers and sisters in Christ never stopped going to their house just to see how they're doing and just talk to them about mundane stuff and help them a little even when they are met by the angry and grieving father every time. It took a long time but the mom finally went back, then my friend and her sister after years of healing and therapy. Her dad is slowly coming back.
I was in a singing group missionary in college and we would share the gospel through singing. We would hike mountains just to visit a house to evangelize on top of a hill. It was a rewarding experience. There were times when we had to grieve with some brothers and sisters over a tragedy and some verses that always stuck to me about grief and tragedy are:
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:31-33
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
--
Bad things happen to good people; that's just the way it is in this evil world; but faith is how we cope.