Coping with Tragedy

Recently, my community experienced a significant tragedy, and as a result, many individuals, myself included, are facing considerable challenges, and some do not know what to do with their pain.
When a community experiences tragedy, the first thing we need to do is recognize that the tragedy effects all of us in different ways. Certain individuals show immediate responses to stress, while others may experience delayed reactions. But be assured, the stress from it will occur.
As Christians, we know our friends are in Heaven and that we will see them again. But the loss of them here, today, is something that needs to be grieved. Understanding that what we are feeling is normal can help.
I know there will be some that may feel more fearful, others may start to relive past traumatic experiences. A common reaction is feeling a sense of loss, helplessness, or numbness. Still others may experience brain fog and struggle to focus or feel nervous or on edge with difficulty sleeping. These are normal human responses to tragedy.
Here are some tips that I pray may help if you too are struggling.
• Talk about your experiences and get support from family, friends, and co-workers.
• Share good memories of the lost loved one(s) with others.
• Share photos of them.
• Seek support and companionship from your church family or other supportive community members.
• Take care of yourself and try to keep yourself in a normal routine if you can.
• Avoid using alcohol and drugs to suppress your feelings. It is important to let them out. Suppressing your grief only delays the inevitable and may come out in unhealthy ways later.
• Keep in mind that returning to the way you felt before the event may take some time.
• If your distress continues or you have trouble managing your feelings, talk to a pastor, psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor.
• And most important, take it to the feet of Jesus. He is ready and waiting to comfort us.