Intro: When tragedy strikes, some react by getting
bitter, blaming God, withdrawing, and never working
through a constructive reaction. Nehemiah shows
us how to react positively and constructively
to tragedy. His tragedy was that his homeland
had been devistated, the wall of Jerusalem had
been broken down. He was far away from home, and
the news hit him hard. How he reacted made all
the difference.
When reacting to tragedy:
I. Take time to MOURN (1:4)
A. It is okay to cry.
B. We should not deny our true feelings of grief.
C. It is not a sign of strength to deny our
grief.
D. A person’s mental, emotional, and physical
health demands that we take time to mourn
when necessary.
II.Take time to MEDITATE (l:4b--11)
A. Meditation involves Confession
B. Meditation involves Petition
C. Meditation involves Intercession
D. Meditation involves Introspection
III. THEN MOVE TO ACTION (1:11B--2:8)
A. Avoid getting "stuck" in grief process.
B. Constructively DO what you can about the
situation, as God leads, in His timing.
C. Action is grief’s best therapy.
(example: If cancer is your tragedy, begin
or get active in helping other
cancer patients)
D. God will provide the resources for recouperation
from tragedy.
Conclusion:
To face tragedy constructively, Nehemiah offers
a very healthy example. God blesses every effort
to react constructively to the tragedies of life.
Have you taken time to mourn, meditate, and then
move to action?
