Dealing With Tragedy/Young People Ask - How Can I Deal With Tragedy?

Tragedy can affect anyone.  "The swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle," the Bible says.  "Unexpected events overtake them all."  (Ecclesiastes 9:11)  That includes some young people who have faced tragedy. How have they dealt with it.Consider two examples.

REBEKAH

My parents divorced when I was 14.  

I told myself that my parent's divorce wasn't happening, that my dad just needed time to himself for awhile.  He loved my mom-why would he leave her? Why would he leave me?

It was difficult for me to talk to anyone about what was happening. I wanted to block it out. I was angry, although at the time I didn't realize it. I began having problems with anxiety, and I had trouble sleeping. 

When I was 19, I lost my mother to cancer. She was my best friend.

If my parent's divorce was shocking, my mom's death was utterly devastating.  I'm still not over it. Sleep has gotten even more elusive for me, and I still have anxiety.

At the same time, I have found several things to be helpful. For example, Proverbs 18:1 warns us against isolating ourselves, so I try to follow that advice. 

Also,  as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I try to read  our encouraging Bible-based publications. One that helped me during the time of my parent's divorce was Questions Young People Ask-Answers That Work. In particular, I remember reading the chapter in Volume 2  entitled  "Can I Be Happy in a Single-Parent Family?" 

One of my favorite scriptures for dealing with my anxiety is found at Matthew 6:25-34. In verse 27, Jesus asked: "Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?" 

Bad things will happen to all of us, but I learned from my mom's example that the way we deal with those trials is important. She went through a lot-a divorce and then a terminal illness-but through it all she kept a positive attitude, and her faith in God remained strong right to the end. I'll never forget the things she taught me about Jehovah.

To think about:  How can reading the Bible and Bible-based publications help you to deal with tragedy? -Psalm 94:19. 

Next time:  Young People Ask - How Can I Deal With Tragedy? -CORDELL'S  STORY

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