Last Friday Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. When things like this happen, I don’t know how to react. To be honest, it’s difficult to write about something like this because the experiences of the survivors are far from anything I have ever experienced. What in the world are you supposed to do with a tragedy like this?

Haiyan by the numbers

Estimates about the number killed by the storm range between 1,200 and 10,000. At least 23,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed and 660,000 people have been displaced from their homes, according to a report by Fox. An estimated 4.2 million people have been affected by the storm, many of them injured, thirsty or hungry according to a report by CNN. The article says the typhoon has produced a national health crisis. Apparently, the need for food and water is so desperate that crowds of looters have begun to break into warehouses and stores, stealing basic necessities for the sake of survival.

In addition, the hospitals are at full capacity and are turning people away. The city of Tacloban, which was hit especially hard, currently has only one functioning hospital. When the hospital ran out of room, the wounded started lying in the hallway, hoping they would be treated eventually.

Wrapping our minds around disaster

Homes destroyed. Friends and family members missing or lying dead in the street. No access to essential resources like food and water.

There are some things in this life I can’t wrap my mind around. This is one of them. I don’t even have a category for this kind of loss. I have never experienced anything like it. CNN quoted Magina Fernandez, a woman who lost her home and business, saying the situation is so bad she considers it worse than hell.

How do you make sense out of a calamity like this? The Bible tells me that God is in control of all things and he is full of loving kindness. I believe this is true. But when I look at tragedy like what has been caused by this typhoon, it becomes more difficult to believe. And you know what? I bet it’s even harder for the girl who lost her mother or for the man sitting in the hospital hallway hoping someone will tend to his wounds. I wonder what thoughts have been running through their minds.

If I had to bear the sorrow of the world’s suffering on my own shoulders, I wouldn’t be able to stand under its weight. I don’t have enough in me to grieve for all the suffering. I’m thankful I don’t have to grieve alone. And I’m thankful I don’t have to have all the answers. I’m thankful that I know a God who is in control, even if it’s difficult to see his wisdom and goodness in some situations. I am able to rest in the knowledge that he continues to sit on the throne and guide the course of human history with divine wisdom and love.

Nowhere else to turn

When tragedy strikes, there is nowhere else to turn but to God. We have nothing else to do but simply trust that he knows what he is doing. But let’s not use faith as a cop out, as justification for our apathy. It’s so easy for me to ignore suffering, excusing myself with thoughts like this: “I have too much going on right now to worry about what is happening in the world. After all, God is sovereign.” Jesus didn’t avoid suffering. He went into it willingly. I’m apt to ignore the things in this life that don’t make sense. I hardly gave the people of the Philippines a second thought when I first heard the news.

It took me writing a whole article to care enough to pray for them. Hopefully all it will take for you is to read it.