The Asian Tsunami brings to us (including children) many questions hard to answer. Why did God allow this to happen? Could not God have prevented this? What is wrong with our world? And, is this the judgment of God? Some are saying that God is directly punishing us as a region because of our sins. Why did God allow it? I don't know. I don't have answers to all of these questions. But I DO know that God still loves me and loves every single person that perished in the Asian Tsunami and God loves you (children as well).

The Bible says God is love [1 John 4:8,16] and being love, God can never do anything contrary to His nature. And I do believe that God still sits on the throne, and is in control. He knows what is happening. And what may be hidden from us is not hidden from Him. How do you as parent, teacher, or minister help your children understand this horrible tragedy? How will you respond?

GOD IS THERE!

Where was God along the beaches of Phi Phi Island (Thailand), the village in Dehiwala (Sri Lanka) and the city of Aceh (Indonesia)? God is there. Joni Erickson, a paraplegic for more than 37 years in an address to 1800 Christian leaders at the recently concluded world congress Forum 2004 said: "God is most present where He is needed most." He is right there in the obliterated seaside towns of Sri Lanka. He is there with the parents in India mourning as hundreds of children are being buried in mass graves. He is there in Aceh where hundreds of bloated bodies littered the streets. He is with the Singaporean father who mourns the death of his wife and his missing daughter in Phuket. He is with the Thai King Bhumibol whose grandson was found under the debris near their hotel. He is with each family member of the more than thirty-seven people who died in Penang (Malaysia).

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

People say "could not God have stopped this tragedy, prevented it from happening?" God could have prevented that. God is omnipotent. God is all-powerful. Nobody knows how many times God has stopped tragedies like this. And many times God has intervened and prevented things that we are often unaware of and God gets no credit for. How often do you see in the headlines of the newspaper, "GOD PREVENTS TRAGEDY"? Normally, after a tragedy happens, it's "WHERE WAS GOD?".

We must not judge God in this tragedy. Christians in all these villages and cities and countries must rise up to respond unequivocally to help, rescue, and console those who have lost loved ones and businesses. This is the time for Christians to show compassion unreservedly to all who need it. Remember the words of Jesus. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Mt 25:37-40).

YOUR RESPONSE

One expert said: "We all want answers and children are no exception. Some of the answers you may not want them to have and most will not be theologically sound. Children have expectations, not only of their parents, but also of their Christian leaders. Children want to know from trusted adults, "what you know," "what you think," and "where is God in all of this?"

1. Talk about the Tsunami or disaster
   
   You don't need to go into details, into ocean tides/waves etc. But you do have to accept the fact that kids are aware of things. Help a child understand how you deal with this world, how you deal with stress, and how the comfort of God comes to you.
   
   
2. Teach children to cope
   
   Dr. Jerry Aldridge said: "Get kids to open up. Accept fears as real. Some parents/ leaders may feel compelled to "sweep away" all the bad stuff. That's being unfair to the child, and may lead to unhealthy coping patterns. We need to help children accept that sometimes we all feel sad and angry. When they feel afraid, say,"Yeah it's scary and it's okay to be scared!" "Remind your children that you are working very hard to protect them from harm and that God is with them all the time". Tell them how you cope yourself — that you sometimes take a walk, listen to music, read the Bible, pray, cry, sip on hot chocolate or coffee. Tell them, "I pray when I get upset. And when you're upset, you can pray, or come to me, and we will pray together."
   
   
3. Tell them the Message of Salvation
   
   Today is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptance time [2 Corinthians 6:2]. If you haven't received Jesus Christ, you need to give your heart and your life to Him today. Now I don't know where you're at, God alone knows your heart. Admit that what God says about you is true, that you have sinned [Romans 3:23]. And the Bible says, you have "...fallen short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23]. Realize what God has said about you and I, that no one is righteous, no not one [Romans 3:10], that we've all sinned [Romans 3:23]. And that Jesus Christ, when He died on that cross, He paid for the penalty of your sins. Jesus died for your sins! But it won't do you any good unless YOU personally receive Jesus Christ. That's what you need to when another disaster strikes, you will no longer be afraid.

Rev Tan Cheng Huat
Regional Director
CEF AP Family News
Apr-Jun 2005