“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

　　It’s been a disastrous year for many who have been facing loss, destruction, and suffering. After our family went through a destructive storm, I remember thinking how other people in the world were just going about their usual day, not knowing what had just happened to us, unaffected by its events and destruction.

　　Suffering after a disaster can seem isolating and lonely seeing that many, even in our own communities, may not understand what we’re experiencing. With this feeling can come a sense of hopelessness.

　　While feeling distraught, Psalm 34:8 reminds us where to find hope, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

　　Gratefully, God is very present in our situations, riding out the storms with us and being there for us afterward. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes, we have a God who understands and is compassionate towards us in our suffering: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

　　God understands our suffering beyond what we can comprehend. He walks through it with us and brings us out on the other side stronger. 1 Peter 5:10 explains, “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

　　Even more so, He loves us through each and every distress, not letting anything come between us during these difficult times. He doesn’t leave us going through it alone or figuring it out on our own.

　　As the Apostle Paul spells out clearly in Romans 8:39-40,“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

　　Likewise, afterward, even in the worst situations, God assures us: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

　　For those who have experienced disasters, the recovery time afterward can be excruciating, yet God urges in Psalm 27:14 to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

　　But waiting to see God’s goodness after a disaster can seem endless at times. Still, He wants us to cling to the hope that He gives, looking for and expecting His goodness again in our lives.

　　Although it may take us a while to tune in and hear the birds singing and see the sun shining again, we can move ahead, even if it’s with baby steps, looking to see His goodness in the coming days.

　　After disasters, there is the hope and promise that God’s goodness will come again and follows us through this life. As Psalm 23:6 assures, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

　　For many, looking back after walking through tragic events often brings clarity, where they are able to see more clearly God’s goodness, even though at the time they may have felt there was none to be found.

　　In these moments of everyday revelation, there may be “aha” moments where Psalm 116:12 rings true for them: “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?”

　　Let’s Pray:

　　Dear Father,

　　Thank You that we can find refuge in You. Help us today, and every day, to receive Your comfort and hope and expect Your goodness in our lives.

　　In Jesus’ name,

　　Amen