What Do We Do in the Wake of Unimaginable Tragedy?
some thoughts on violence, peace, and resurrection
Lord, we cannot add a day to our lives or add a foot to our stature. We cannot turn death into resurrection. But we know that through your lovingkindness and great mercy that Jesus was resurrected on the third day; your Love would not have allowed it to be any other way. May you teach us how to wait for the third day. May you teach us how to see through despair to hope and through death to resurrection. If I can contribute any positive words at all to this conversation, it is only because of your mercy. Amen.
I’m writing this article on the morning of September 11, 2025. As people come in and out of the bakery to pick up coffee, order some donuts, or meet with a group of friends, the televisions in the lounge area feature three stories: (1) a school shooting in Colorado, (2) the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and (3) memorial footage of the terrorist attacks from 24 years ago this day.
On September 11, 2001, I was sitting in Coach McKay’s third grade class. Early that morning, he turned on the radio as he told us, “You may not understand this now, but you will never forget this day for the rest of your life.” And he was right. I’ll never forget the scenes on the television in the library as I was checking out a book. I won’t forget huddling around our own television later that day. And I’ll never forget a drawing I did of a person jumping out of a window, which was a scene I saw while watching the footage of the attacks.
How do we react to tragedies like this? Well, we can’t control the immediate feelings that show up within us: anger, fear, sadness, shock, or despair. But we can control how we process and react to these feelings. Will we allow our anger to turn into violence? Will we allow our sadness to turn into hopelessness? Will we allow our fear to paralyze us?
It’s important to be patient with each other in times like this because we all process tragedies and trauma differently, but we should also be patient with ourselves. Allow yourself time and space to process what has happened. James offered some helpful advice from the Lord, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20).
Be quick to hear your own voice and the voice of your neighbor, even if you disagree with them. Be slow to speak in the heat of the moment because you might regret what you say. And be slow to acting on your anger because actions not rooted in Wisdom and Love (which can be disciplinary) will not be in line with God’s justice.
As we process the resurgence of political violence that marked earlier periods in our history as a country, let us remember the words of Paul who repented of his political violence and refused to return to that way even though he was beaten, imprisoned, and eventually martyred:
"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17–21).
Instead, Paul adopted the Way of Jesus. What Jesus shows us about tragedy is that God can transform the most cruel of deaths into resurrection. The Gospel of Jesus abolishes death and brings to light life and immortality (2 Timothy 1:8-11). Only it can bring the peace we all long for in this moment. It alone is the Good that overcomes all evil.
My Article from Yesterday
Yesterday, I happened to write an article on the importance of nonviolence, which is to be distinguished from pacifism. It is sad to see the article become so relevant so quickly. Let’s be sure to pray for the families of those who lost loved ones on 9/11 or because of 9/11, the parents of the schoolchildren in Colorado, and the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. And let’s pray for all who may consider using these tragedies as an occasion for perpetuating more violence. May the good news of Jesus dispel any such notions, and may Love, Righteousness, Mercy, and Justice prevail, in the most true and noble sense of these terms.
Timely and edifying words on this difficult day! Thank you Daniel!
Daniel, this is so well written. Thank you!