Coping With Natural Disasters

 Fellow Christians help one another

In the first century, a Christian prophet named Agabus indicated that "a great famine was about to come upon the entire inhabited earth; which, for that matter, did take place in the time of Claudius."  The famine affected many of Jesus' disciples in Judea.  What did the disciples elsewhere do when they heard of their fellow Christian plight?  The account states: "Those of the disciples determined, each of them according as anyone could afford it, to send  a relief ministration to the brothers  dwelling in Judea." (Acts 11:28, 29)  They lovingly responded by providing relief supplies. 

When severe calamities occur today, God's servansts respond similarly.  Jehovah's Witnesses are well-known for helping fellow believers.  For example,  when a strong earthquake struck Chile on Februrary 27, 2010, Jehovah's Witnesses quickly responded to help those affected. Karla, whose home was swept away by a tusnami, related:  "It was comforting and encouraging to see that the very next day [fellow Witnesses]arrived from other areas to help us. Without a doubt, Jehovah comforted us through the goodness of those volunteers. I felt loved and protected." Her granfather who is not a Witnesses, observed the help being given.  He said:  "This is completely different from what I have seen for years in my church." What he saw moved him to ask Jehovah's Witnessses to study the Bible with him. 

Being in association with thsoe who love God can be a great aid during times of adversity. Even so, will there ever be a time when the earth will be rid of the curse of disasters?  Let us see what the Bibler has to say on this subject.

Next time: No More Disasters!

From the jw.org publications