When Disaster Strikes, Where Is God?

30-Second Version For Busy People

A monster hurricane is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, set to impact millions by tomorrow. In times like these, we often ask, "Why does God allow such suffering?"

It's a monster question—one that even God, when questioned by Job, chose not to answer directly. Instead of fixating on the 'why', let's focus on the 'what': what we can do in response.

• Today’s Better Though: I don't always know why, but I always know what.

• Today’s Better Action: Be the calm in someone else’s storm.

Remember, better thoughts lead to better actions, and better actions lead to better results.

Full Version

Hurricane Helene, a monstrous Category 4 storm, is churning in the Gulf of Mexico, its sights set on the Florida Panhandle. With winds howling at 130 miles per hour, this behemoth has the power to strip roofs from homes, uproot trees, and plunge entire communities into darkness.

Millions of people will be impacted by this storm, and those left in its wake will have a heavy question: Why?

One of the greatest challenges we have as Christians is to continue somehow to believe in God and to trust Him in the midst of horrendous devastation. When you see children being separated from their fathers and mothers, when you see lives being torn and hundreds of people dead, it is very natural to ask the question, “Where is God?”

What we need to realize is that God can be trusted, even when it seems as if He is not on our side. We have to point people to the fact that God has intervened in our planet by sending Jesus Christ.

It’s there we see the love of God most clearly.

It was Martin Luther who said, “When you look around and wonder whether God cares, you must always hurry to the cross and you must see Him there.”

BETTER THOUGHT

Today's better thought: I don't always know why, but I always know what.

Let's face it: we don't always understand why God does what He does. And you know what? That's okay. If we could fully grasp God's ways, we'd be on His level, and that's not how it works.

In our world where we want instant answers for everything, this can be frustrating.

I get it. I'm right there with you, wanting to know the reasons behind everything. But no matter how many Google searches we do or how many times we ask Alexa, even the smartest tech out there can't decode God's will and actions.

Here's the silver lining: while we might not always get the why, we do know the what.

We know what God wants from us and what He's called us to do.

This reminds me of Job's story. Job claimed that God had fallen asleep at the wheel in running the universe, leaving him to suffer unfairly. But God's response?

God starts asking Job these mind-bending questions:

• "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?"

• "Ever tried commanding the morning light?"

• "Do you know where light lives or where darkness hangs out?"

• "Can you guide the constellations?"

His point is that sometimes awful things happen, and we can't make sense of them.

God's world is fantastic, beautiful, and full of wonder, but it's not perfect or always safe. It's got order and beauty, but it can also be wild and, yes, sometimes dangerous.

So, what do we do with this?

• Let's be humble. When we ask why there's suffering (like hurricanes) in the world, sometimes the answer is... silence. And that's okay.

• Let's be encouraged by what we can do: trust God, be lights in a dark world, and give Him the glory.

Remember, not knowing all the answers doesn't mean we can't act with love and purpose. We might not always know why, but we always know what we're called to do: love God, love others, and trust in His bigger picture.

BETTER ACTION

Today's better action: Be the calm in someone else’s storm.

As Hurricane Helene bears down on Florida, it's easy to feel helpless. But remember, while we can't control the weather, we can control our response to it.

Here's one practical way to make a difference:

Reach out to someone you know in Florida (even if you live in Florida) – a friend, family member, or even a long-lost acquaintance. Give them a call, send a text, or drop them an email. Let them know you're thinking of them and ask if they need anything.

Maybe they need help finding evacuation information, someone to talk to ease their anxiety, or a prayer from another believer.

Whatever it is, be that calm voice in their storm.

You don't need to have all the answers or be able to stop the hurricane. Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can make all the difference.

Jesus calmed the storm for His disciples. While we can't command the weather, we can bring peace to someone's heart with a simple act of kindness.

So today, take a moment. Reach out. Be the calm in someone's storm. It's a small act that can make a big difference in tumultuous times.

BECOMING A BETTER CHRISTIAN

When Christians get better, everyone gets better. Here are a few ways I am getting better this week.

• I just started reading John Steinbeck’s classic, East of Eden. Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. A handful of people have recommended this book to me, so here I go!

• A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent encouraging texts during this hurricane's growth. While I live in Florida, my family is not at risk of major impact. Please direct your prayers to those living in the Florida panhandle. 

• I was a guest on a friend’s podcast, Theology Meets World. The episode won’t launch until November, but if you are a podcast listener, there are other great conversations on there. This has been my favorite so far.

Hit "reply" and let me know what you're doing!