“If God protected Trump, what about the man who died?”
When someone, who’s struggling with their faith, asked me this good and fair question about the passing of Cory Compertore who died at the Trump rally last week, I wasn’t sure what to say. As a Christian, I know and believe that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord (James 1:17). I know and experience often what Jesus said we would, that in this life we will have trouble (John 16:33). I’ve wrestled with the Lord through a deep crisis of faith years ago that has allowed me to trust deeply that He is good (Psalm 119:68). And I know that eternal life is a gift of God and the only thing that will last (John 10:28). But I also recently heard wise counsel recommending that in relationships it’s usually best to
Avoid refuting feelings with facts.
The Gen Z-er who asked me this question had to learn what an active shooter was from a very young age. They practiced many scary shelter-in-place drills at school. They repeatedly heard news stories about mass shootings in movie theaters, night clubs, and on college campuses. This young person knows plenty of truths about God and the Bible, but this wasn’t a question challenging those facts. It was a question motivated by feelings.
Scared, confused, and legitimate feelings.
I tried answering the tough question like Jesus did – honestly, compassionately, and full of grace and truth. I affirmed and acknowledged that the question was both fair and difficult. I said that although I deeply believe that every good and perfect gift is from God, it was also hard to fathom the loss the Compertore family was experiencing. After trying to listen to the young person’s thoughts and praying for the Lord to help me respond in love, I also said that Cory was a Christian who believed Jesus died for his sins. I affirmed what the family had shared in the blessing it was knowing they’d see their husband and father again. And I concluded by affirming the point of both my young friend’s question and the reason for Christ’s coming –
Evil and death are inexplicably heinous and awful. To us and to God.
I wish I would’ve said more. However, I think I that’s the beauty of responding to our loved one’s feelings with feelings, instead of confronting them with facts (that they probably already know). When we respond with grace and truth, we’ll likely have the chance to talk to them again. We will, by and because of God’s grace, be able to go deeper into their hurts and questions. In safe spaces we create with the Spirit’s enabling, we will prayerfully and hopefully help them know how deeply God’s love and care matters in the midst of the evil and suffering of this world. And we can look forward together to the day Jesus returns to take way all that’s heinous and awful (Rev. 21:4),
Once and for all.