A Christian father receives devastating news that armed men have attacked the school where his wife teaches and where his two children attend.
All three have been abducted. His heart is shattered. What should his Christian response be?
First: He is allowed to grieve.
The first mistake many Christians make is believing faith means suppressing emotion. It doesn’t. Scripture is filled with godly people who wept.
Psalm 56:8 – God keeps track of our tears. John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” Psalm 13 – David cried, “How long, O Lord?”
A godly father may cry. He may shake. He may feel fear. He may not sleep. None of those reactions are sinful. Faith is not the absence of emotion. Faith is choosing God while experiencing those emotions.
Second: He must refuse panic.
Fear will immediately begin speaking : “What if they’re killed?” “What if I never see them again?” “My life is over.” The Christian acknowledges those fears but refuses to let them become his master. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3). Notice David did not say if I am afraid… He said when.
Third: His first response should be to seek God. Not because prayer replaces action. But because prayer guides action. King David repeatedly “inquired of the Lord” before acting. The father should cry out honestly:” Lord, I don’t understand this. I am terrified. Protect my wife. Protect my children. Give me wisdom. Show me what to do.” Prayer is not passivity. Prayer is dependence.
Fourth: He should act wisely, not recklessly. The flesh may say,”I’ll find those men myself.” But Scripture values wisdom over impulsiveness.
He should: Cooperate with security agencies. Inform trusted church leaders. Gather believers to pray. Seek wise counsel before making decisions. Faith does not reject practical action. God often works through people and proper authorities.
Fifth: He must guard his heart against hatred. This is perhaps the hardest command. His pain may tempt him toward revenge. But Christ teaches:”Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44). This does not mean approving of evil. It does not mean abandoning justice. It means refusing to let hatred consume the heart.
Sixth: He must continue trusting God’s character even when he cannot understand God’s ways.
Questions will come. “Why would God allow this?”. The Bible never promises believers will understand every tragedy. Instead it points us to God’s character. Romans 8:28, Isaiah 55:8–9, Proverbs 3:5–6. Faith says,”I don’t understand this. But I know the One who does.”
Seventh: He should not isolate himself. Suffering tempts people to withdraw. The Church exists for moments like this.The father should allow fellow believers to: pray with him, cry with him, provide meals, help with practical needs, encourage him with Scripture. As Galatians 6:2 teaches:”Bear one another’s burdens.”
Eighth: He must continue hoping.
Hope is not pretending everything will end happily. Hope is confidence that God remains faithful regardless of the outcome. Like Job, he may say,”Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15). This is one of the deepest expressions of biblical faith.
Reflection.
The Christian response is not measured by how loudly we cry, but by where we run when we cry. The unbeliever and the believer may shed the same tears.The difference is that the believer’s tears fall into the hands of a faithful God.
Key Verse:”Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:8.
This passage captures the balance perfectly: God invites us to pour out our hearts—holding nothing back—while also calling us to trust Him. Christian maturity is not denying the pain of life’s darkest moments, but bringing that pain honestly before God and allowing Him to direct our thoughts, words, and actions.
Shalom.