Trusting in Times of Trouble

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”

 —Psalm 46:1-3

Steven Curtis Chapman is a well-known contemporary Christian music artist who has won numerous dove awards, written several hit songs, and has been honored by other musicians who have recorded songs he’s written. Married to Mary Beth, they have three biological children: Emily, Caleb, and Will. As their children grew, they decided to adopt three little girls from China: Shaohannah "Shaoey" Hope Yan, Stevey Joy Ru, and Maria Sue Chunxi.

From an outsider’s perspective, everything seemed like bliss—that is until May 21, 2008. It was a typical day as Steven and Mary Beth were in the house as their three youngest girls were outside playing in the yard. Will, 17, drove into the driveway in his old Land Cruiser, when Maria, 5, went running up to see her older brother. Her sister, Shaoey called out for her to stop, but she kept running because she was excited to see him and wanted him to lift her up on the monkey bars. But Will didn’t see Maria, and in a moment it was over—the sound of flesh hitting fiberglass, immediately followed by a soft thud on the ground. Panic struck. Shouting. Screaming. Anguish. Sirens filled the air. She was airlifted to the hospital, but her parents knew she was gone. The paramedics tried to resuscitate her, but it was of no use. The long and unwelcome journey of grieving had just begun.

How does one respond to such a terrible tragedy? It’s easy to praise and thank God when things are going well, but how does praise and thanksgiving toward God happen during times of trouble? How does one thank the Creator in the midst of tragedy?

Days after Maria’s fatal accident, Emily and her fiancé Tanner, along with Caleb and their closest friends, gathered round Will to somehow help alleviate his burden. Mary Beth describes what happened next,

“Emily and Tanner slipped away, and when they came back, they had gotten a basin of water and some soft towels. While the rest of us surrounded Will, they knelt and washed his feet, praying that the Enemy would not get a foothold in his soul, praying that God would give Will peace and rest.”

What a remarkable act! What a divine perspective in such a painful tragedy! The power of love in action, tangibly demonstrated to a loved one racked with guilt and sorrow is almost beyond our ability to fathom. Trust in times of trouble enabled hope to stay alive, even though tears of sorrow and sadness birthed in suffering were ever present reminders of a loved one now gone.

Three years have passed for the Chapman family and they continue on. They still grieve, but in the midst of their grief there is hope for eternity. How does one trust in times of trouble? By placing oneself in the hand of the Almighty. He alone is our refuge and ever present help in time of trouble. We may not understand the purpose of our trials, nor see the silver lining in the tragedies and tribulations we experience, but we trust in the God who is unseen—because it is in Him and through Him that hope is found. Death has been defeated through the risen Savior. It is no longer the end, but just the beginning. And because of that, we can have hope. Amen.