Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalm 103:1, ESV)
If there is a sport that shines a light on our character (both good and bad), it is golf. During good rounds, maintaining my composure, exhibiting joy, and being attuned is easy. But rounds that unravel into bad results bring out my anger, frustration, impatience, and negative self-talk.
After forty-plus years of competing, my character still shifts more than I desire and needs continual refinement. I want to be a golfer and a woman who reflects God’s character regardless of the circumstances.
With so much tragedy injecting our daily lives, we wonder, “How can a good God allow that to happen?” Doubting God when bad things happen feels valid. When life is fluid, it’s always easier to believe God is who he says he is.
Why, when, or how God intervenes—or not—is a mystery. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God. God’s character is the same … all the time.
So, how do we cope?
First and foremost, we are to grieve for our own suffering and with others. Henri Nouwen wrote, “I am beginning to see that much of praying is grieving.” Aundi Kolber takes this thought further, “God designed our bodies to move through and metabolize pain (at the pace we are able)—and grieving is a necessary piece of this work.” (“Our Grief is Sacred,” Take What You Need, (Substack), July 7, 2025)
Along with grieving, we must accept that if we choose to raise our hand against God for the bad that happens, we also must give him responsibility for the good.
Dr. Jim Denison writes, “For every good in the world, we can ask why there is evil; for every evil in the world, we can ask why there is good. So, here’s a better approach: rather than interpreting the character of God by the circumstances of our broken world, let’s interpret our circumstances through the prism of his character (The Daily Article, July 9, 2025).”
Components of this prism of God’s character are seen throughout Psalm 103.
The Lord is: merciful and gracious (v.8), slow to anger (v.8), abounding in steadfast love (v.8), forgiving and healing (v.3), compassionate like a father (v.13), faithful to those who fear him (v.17-18).
While we may never understand why tragedy and suffering happen, we can be sure of God’s character.
With a posture of grieving, an acceptance that we don’t have all the answers, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can interpret our circumstances through God’s mercy, grace, patience, forgiveness, steadfast love, compassion, and faithfulness.
The essence of God’s character opens the door for our pain and sorrow to reach healing and hope.
Prayer: Lord, help! As we face the tragedies of this world, help me to embody and reflect your character.