Shift our attention from tragedy to hope

Tragedy is nothing new to God's people. Many biblical events show both the darkness of this world and the goodness of God as it brings hope and healing in tragic circumstances.

Nehemiah's response to difficulties was both passionate and effective. As we look at the ways she dealt with national tragedy and personal pain, we can learn and grow in our response to difficult times.

This month, the United States remembers the events of September 11, 2001. Caught off guard and feeling as though we had not decided to fight, we have lost the lives of thousands of civilians in one day to attacks from distant enemies. This day now defines our recent history, and 11/7 is taught in schools as a turning point in the "War on Terror," just as December 1941, XNUMX (the attacks on Pearl Harbor) is taught as a turning point in world war II.

While many Americans are still smart with grief when we think of 11/XNUMX (we can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing and the first thoughts that came to our minds), others around the world are facing their own national tragedies. Natural disasters that claimed thousands of lives in one day, attacks on mosques and churches, thousands of refugees without a country to receive them and even government-ordered genocide.

Sometimes the tragedies that affect us most are not the ones that make headlines around the world. It could be a local suicide, an unexpected illness, or even a slower loss such as closing a factory, leaving many without work.

Our world is battered by darkness and we wonder what can be done to bring light and hope.

Nehemiah's response to the tragedy
One day in the Persian Empire, a palace servant was waiting for news from the capital of his homeland. His brother had gone to visit him to see how things were going and the news was not good. “The remnant in the province who had survived the exile are in great difficulty and ashamed. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are destroyed by fire ”(Nehemiah 1: 3).

Nehemiah took it really hard. He wept, wept and fasted for days (1: 4). The significance of Jerusalem being in trouble and shame, exposed to ridicule and attack by outsiders was too much for him to accept.

On the one hand, this may seem like a bit of an overreaction. The state of affairs was not new: 130 years earlier Jerusalem had been sacked, burned and the inhabitants exiled to a foreign land. About 50 years after these events, efforts to rebuild the city began, starting with the temple. Another 90 years had passed when Nehemiah discovered that the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins.

On the other hand, Nehemiah's answer rings true to human experience. When an ethnic group is treated in a destructive and traumatic way, the memories and pain of these events become part of the national emotional DNA. They don't go away and are not easily cured. The saying goes, "time heals all wounds," but time is not the ultimate healer. The God of heaven is that healer, and sometimes he works dramatically and powerfully to bring restoration, not only to a physical wall but also to a national identity.

Therefore, we find Nehemiah face down, weeping without restraint, calling his God to bring about a change in this unacceptable situation. In Nehemiah's first recorded prayer, he praised God, reminded him of his covenant, confessed his and his people's sin, and prayed for the favor of leaders (it's a long prayer). Notice what's not there: railing against those who destroyed Jerusalem, complaining about those who dropped the ball on rebuilding the city, or justifying someone's actions. His cry to God was humble and honest.

Nor did he look in the direction of Jerusalem, shook his head and moved on with his life. Although many knew the state of the city, this tragic state affected Nehemiah in a special way. What would have happened if this busy, high-level servant had said, “What a pity that no one cares for the city of God. It is unfair that our people have endured such violence and ridicule. If only I weren't in such a critical position in this foreign land, I would do something about it ”?

Nehemiah demonstrated healthy mourning
In 21st century America, we don't have a context for deep grief. The funeral lasts for an afternoon, good company may grant three days of bereavement leave, and we think strength and maturity seem to move forward as quickly as possible.

Although Nehemiah's fasting, mourning, and weeping were initiated by emotion, it is reasonable to assume that they were supported by discipline and choice. He didn't cover his pain with frenzy. He didn't get distracted with entertainment. He didn't even console himself with food. The pain of tragedy has been felt in the context of God's truth and compassion.

Sometimes we are afraid that pain will destroy us. But pain is designed to bring about change. Physical pain pushes us to take care of our body. Emotional pain can help us take care of our relationships or inner needs. National pain can help us rebuild with unity and fervor. Perhaps Nehemiah's willingness to “do something,” despite the many obstacles, arose from time spent in mourning.

A plan for curative action
After the days of mourning had passed, although he returned to work, he continued to fast and pray. Because his pain had been soaked in God's presence, it had spawned a plan in him. Because he had a plan, when the king asked him what he was so sad about, he knew exactly what to say. Maybe it was like those of us who repeat certain conversations in our heads over and over again before they happen!

God's favor over Nehemiah was evident from the moment he opened his mouth in the king's throne room. He received first-rate supplies and protection and got a significant time off work. The pain that made him cry also made him act.

Nehemiah celebrated those they helped rather than bring down those they hurt

Nehemiah commemorated the work of the people by listing who had done what to rebuild the wall (chapter 3). Celebrating the good work people are doing to rebuild, our focus shifts from tragedy to hope.

For example, on 11/XNUMX, the first responders who put themselves in danger (many by losing their lives) demonstrated a selflessness and courage that we as a country want to honor. Celebrating the lives of these men and women is far more productive than encouraging hatred for the men who hijacked the planes that day. The story becomes less about destruction and pain; instead we can see the saving, healing and rebuilding which is also prevalent.

Obviously there is work to be done to protect ourselves from future attacks. Nehemiah learned of some enemies plotting to invade the city when the workers were not paying attention (chapter 4). So they interrupted their work briefly and remained on guard until the immediate danger passed. Then they resumed work with weapons in hand. You might think this would really slow them down, but perhaps the threat of enemy attack prompted them to complete the protective wall.

Again we notice what Nehemiah is not doing. His comments on the threat of the enemy are not accused of descriptions of the cowardice of these people. He doesn't pump people bitterly at them. It states things in a simple and practical way, such as, “Let every man and his servant spend the night in Jerusalem, that they may watch us by night and work by day” (4:22). In other words, "we'll all do double duty for a while." And Nehemiah did not exempt (4:23).

Whether it's the rhetoric of our leaders or the everyday conversations we find ourselves in, we will do more well by shifting our focus away from berating those who have hurt us. Stimulating hatred and fear serves to drain the hope and energy to move forward. Instead, while we wisely have our protective measures in place, we can keep our conversation and emotional energy focused on rebuilding.

The rebuilding of Jerusalem led to the rebuilding of Israel's spiritual identity
Despite all the opposition they faced and the limited number of people they had helped, Nehemiah was able to lead the Israelites in rebuilding the wall in just 52 days. The thing had been destroyed for 140 years. Clearly time would not heal that city. Healing came for the Israelites when they took courageous action, improved their city, and worked in unity.

After the wall was finished, Nehemiah invited the religious leaders to read the Law aloud for all the assembled people. They had a great celebration as they renewed their commitment to God (8: 1-12). Their national identity was beginning to take shape again: they were especially called of God to honor him in their ways and bless the nations around them.

When we face tragedy and pain, we can respond in a similar way. It is true that we cannot take drastic measures as Nehemiah did in response to every bad thing that happens. And not everyone needs to be Nehemiah. Some people just have to be the ones with hammer and nails. But here are some principles we can take with us from Nehemiah to find healing as we respond to tragedy:

Give yourself time and space to cry deeply
Absorb your pain with prayers to God for help and healing
Expect God to sometimes open the door to action
Focus on celebrating the good people are doing rather than the evil of our enemies
Pray that rebuilding leads to healing in our relationship with God