Accidents, calamities, the death of a loved one… all of us are vulnerable to things which can alter a life in one clean swoop. Recovering from a tragedy would at first seem close to impossible. Making the decision to try to move on is the first step. It will be difficult, but it will get easier as time goes on…

1.    Give yourself enough time to grieve your loss.  Let yourself feel the hurt, anger, helplessness, sorrow… don’t feel like you have to keep it all in.

2.    Allow your friends and family to be there for you and to comfort you.  Tell them what you’re feeling.  Talking to a trusted person helps you process what you’re going through.

3.    Avoid making major decisions on your own right after the tragedy.  Seek wise counsel or ask for more time to think about the issue you have to resolve.

4.    Make an effort to reestablish a measure of normalcy in your life.  Even a little thing, such as cooking breakfast like you used to do lets you know that it is possible to go on almost like before.

5.    Guard yourself for signs of extreme depression such as withdrawing from everyone closest to you or entertaining thoughts of hurting yourself.  Talk to someone you trust or a counselor immediately.

6.    Resist the urge to use alcohol or drugs (prescription or otherwise) to help you sleep or to enable you to stop thinking about the tragedy that you have experienced.  

7.    Do not let yourself dwell on the what if’s and why’s behind the tragedy.  The events that led to it had already happened, and going through them over and over in your mind would not change anything.  Trying to analyze why it had to happen usually does not lead to any clear-cut answers.

8.    Remember that in this world, we have no assurance that bad things won’t happen to us, but holding on to our faith assures us that no matter what, we have an anchor that we can hold on to.

The days of the blameless are known to the Lord,
    and their inheritance will endure forever.
In times of disaster they will not wither;
    In days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

             Psalm 37:18-19

9.    Know that the Lord is with you as you go through this difficult season in your life.

The LORD is good,
       a refuge in times of trouble.
       He cares for those who trust in him   

             Nahum 1:7

God has said,
   "Never will I leave you;
      never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence,
   "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

Hebrews 13:5-6

10.    Be confident that the Lord will restore your life.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

There will be times when we won’t understand why the Lord let us go through difficult situations. What good could it possibly do in our lives?  But even the apostle Paul experienced difficulty (“… a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7), and although he prayed repeatedly for that pain to be taken away, but the Lord did not accede to his request.  Paul continued by writing, “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ''s power may rest on me.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In difficult times, we are called to continue to trust in the Lord, no matter what our circumstances.  It won’t be without its rewards.

Instead of their shame
       my people will receive a double portion,
       and instead of disgrace
       they will rejoice in their inheritance;
       and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
       and everlasting joy will be theirs.