When I was 14 years old, a small airplane crashed across the street from where I lived. I called 911 then ran to the plane and helped two 20-somethings out of the burning wreckage. I thought they were the only two in the plane at first. I soon realized that their fathers had also been aboard. They were dead.
I also experienced tragedy in my personal life. My mother died of cancer when I was nine. My father’s alcoholism took him when I was a teenager. My particular suffering may be unique to me, but suffering in general is not. Everyone experiences the fallout of a world enslaved by sin and death (John 16:33).
For some, tragedy results in PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). It has become well known because of its prevalence among military service men and women who have fought in combat. It is also widely recognized among emergency first responders. Even everyday civilians who endure trauma are susceptible to PTSD.
One of the reasons we struggle to manage (and ultimately heal from) the stress and grief we experience from tragedy is that we don’t talk openly about our suffering. We run from it. We lose ourselves in entertainment and technology that distracts us from our pain. Instead of a proactive approach to navigating our trauma, we avoid it until it’s upon us in some unavoidable way.
There is a better way.
Dr. Norm Wright is a traumatologist and a grief counselor. On Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, he and I are discussing his book When It Feels Like the Sky Is Falling: How to Find Hope In an Uncertain World.
Dr. Wright has endured his share of suffering and grief, too. He’s lost two of his children, and his wife died after a long battle with brain cancer. Yet, he still has hope because he believes the Lord is our great physician – the doctor of our soul. When we suffer tragedy, Jesus can restore our hearts to new life.
Dr. Wright says that we become survivors by:
- Maintaining a positive attitude.
- Getting help.
- Being responsible.
- Being adaptable.
- Finding a new dream.
In the darkest moments of grief, you may say, “I can’t handle this.” But with a purpose, support, and God’s grace, you can reach a place where you say, “I can learn how to handle this. I can recover.”
Join me for my full conversation with Dr. Wright on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or on our free phone app.
If you’ve suffered a tragedy and would like to speak with a counselor, get in touch with us. Our counseling team can listen to your story and refer you to one of the many counselors in our network around the country. Give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Dr. Wright’s book When It Feels Like the Sky Is Falling: How to Find Hope In an Uncertain World as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here.
