How Can I Triumph Over Fear and Tragedy?

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Editor's Note: Dr. Roger Barrier went to be with the Lord on February 16th, 2024. Dr. Barrier's family is honoring his legacy by continuing the ministry of Ask Roger and preachitteachit.org for years to come as they share more than two thousand still-unpublished sermons and Ask Roger articles. All articles authored by Dr. Barrier that are published and republished are done posthumously.

Dear Jeff and Roger,
I’ve been deeply troubled by the events that have happened in the last few weeks—from school shootings to natural disasters to Charlie Kirk’s death. I know that God allows bad things to happen in our sinful world, but I’m having a hard time reconciling why. Can you help me figure out how to deal with these tragic events?
Sincerely, Joe

Hi Joe, 

This is Jeff Love. I pastor at Alive Church in Tucson, and I was mentored by Roger over the years. It’s my joy to share some thoughts about your question today. 

The news of Charlie Kirk’s death felt like a shockwave. A husband, father, and a voice for many, was gone in an act of brutal violence. For those of us who follow Jesus, moments like these stop us in our tracks. A cloud of grief, anger, confusion, and weariness descends, and we are left grappling with a profound tension. We know we are called to be people of hope, yet we feel the weight of a world groaning under the strain of sin and brokenness. We are told to be salt and light, but the darkness feels overwhelming.

Why Does God Allow Tragedy?

This brings us to a fundamental question that echoes in the hearts of people everywhere when tragedy strikes: If God is good and in control, why does He allow such evil to happen, and how are we supposed to respond without being consumed by either fear or rage?

The easy answers are hollow. The political talking points are insufficient. We need something more substantial; something rooted in the unshakable truth of God's Word. This is a tension most people feel as we wrestle with the realities of living in a broken world. The Bible doesn't shy away from the rawness of these questions. Throughout its pages, we see examples of people crying out to God in their pain, pleading for understanding, and seeking His presence in the midst of their suffering. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed" (NLT). This verse offers a glimpse into God's character—a God who does not abandon us in our despair but instead draws near to comfort and uphold us.

We are also reminded that while we may not fully understand why God allows evil and suffering, we can trust in His ultimate plan. Romans 8:28 assures us that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." This does not mean that every hardship or evil act is inherently good, but rather that God has the power to weave even the darkest threads into the beautiful tapestry of His redemptive story.

Our Response

The one thing we must anchor ourselves to in this storm is this: Our response to evil must be courageous love, not fearful retreat. This isn't just a nice sentiment; it is a divine command, a spiritual discipline, and the only path forward that leads to life rather than deeper darkness.

To understand why courageous love is our only viable biblical response, we have to face the turmoil this event has stirred up honestly:

First, within our own hearts, we are navigating a storm of conflicting emotions. There's the raw grief for a family that has been shattered. There's the righteous anger that a life was violently taken. But underneath it all, a more unsettling emotion often lurks - fear. We see someone who spoke boldly about his faith targeted, and we ask ourselves, “Could that happen to me? Is it safe to speak up? Is it wiser to stay quiet, to protect my family, to keep my head down?” This internal conflict can be paralyzing—the desire for self-preservation wars with the call to be unashamed of the Gospel. We feel the pull to retreat into the safety of silence, hoping the storm will pass us by.

Second, we see the world around us responding in a whirlwind of chaos. The narrative is immediately seized by voices that do not know God. The tragedy is made into a political event, a soundbite in a 24-hour news cycle of outrage. Blame is cast, sides are drawn, and it's all used as fuel for pre-existing fires of division. We hear commentary suggesting that strong biblical convictions are "hateful" or "awful" and that such beliefs inevitably invite violence. This external pressure is designed to shame believers into silence, to equate biblical truth with dangerous extremism. It creates a hostile environment where simply holding to foundational Christian beliefs is portrayed as an act of aggression.

Courageous love isn't merely a behavior change, but a profound spiritual transformation—a radical shift of our internal compass from a worldly reaction to a Spirit-led response. Our ingrained human tendency is to meet outrage with outrage, hatred with hatred, and fear with defensiveness. It’s our default setting. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to something far greater. We are called to defy the very ethos of this world, to break free from its gravitational pull. This demands a profound, internal metamorphosis, where we deliberately choose to allow God, through His Spirit, to change the way we respond. 

The true conflict, we must remember, is not against the commentators who inflame the news, the politicians who divide, or even the individual who committed that horrific act. Our struggle, as the scriptures remind us, is “not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT). It’s a battle of philosophies, a clash of kingdoms, and our stance must be firmly rooted in the eternal.

What's at Stake?

The stakes could not be higher, both for us personally and for the world watching us.

For us, the very nature of our faith is at stake. If we allow fear to dictate our actions, we muzzle our witness. We trade the powerful truth of the Gospel for the illusion of safety. Our faith becomes a private, sterile thing that has no impact on the world around us. We risk becoming like the servant who buried his talent in the ground, too afraid to take a risk for the master (see Matthew 25:14-30). Our personal peace and comfort become our idols, and we forget that we are called to follow a Savior who laid down His life. The promise of Scripture is clear: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). To reject fear is to walk in our God-given identity.

 For those around us—our families, our neighbors, our communities—what’s at stake is their opportunity to see the world a different way. In a world drowning in rage and division, the church is meant to be a beacon of hope, a city on a hill. When people see us responding to tragedy with steady, courageous love, it stops them in their tracks. It’s countercultural. It’s supernatural. It demonstrates that our hope is not in political outcomes or personal safety, but in a risen King. If we respond with the same vitriol and fear as everyone else, we prove that our faith has no real power to change us. We forfeit our greatest opportunity to show the world the love of Jesus. We become just another group of people fighting for our own interests, and the unique, life-saving message of the Gospel is lost in the noise.

Live in Courageous Love

Living out courageous love rather than fearful retreat is not complicated, but it does require intention. It’s a practical, daily choice. Here is a simple action plan to help you walk this out:

1. Ground Yourself in Truth. Before you engage with the news or social media, engage with God. Spend time in Scripture and prayer. Remind yourself of who God is and who you are in Him. Let His voice be the loudest and most formative voice in your life. This isn't about hiding from the world; it’s about preparing your heart to face the world with God’s perspective. Turn off the noise long enough to hear the still, small voice of the Shepherd.
2. Practice Proximity. The greatest antidote to fear is love, and love grows through relationships. Instead of retreating, lean in. Hug your spouse and your children. Call a friend who is struggling. Invest your time and energy in your local church family. Be physically present with the people of God. In these moments, we remind each other of the hope we share, and we bear one another’s burdens. Digital outrage isolates: real community strengthens.
3. Prepare for Conversations. You will talk about this with friends, coworkers, and family. Don't be caught off guard. Prepare to answer with grace, not anger. Consider how you can express your hope in Jesus without criticizing or attacking the other person. You can stand firm on biblical truth while still showing genuine love for the person in front of you. A simple phrase like, "My heart breaks over this, and for me, it just shows how much we need the hope and peace that only Jesus can bring," can shift a conversation from a political debate to a spiritual opportunity.

A Call to Be the Church

This tragedy is a painful reminder of the world we live in, but it is also a powerful summons for us to be the Church. It is a call to be who we were always meant to be: a family (God’s family) defined by courageous love. This is our moment to minister to our community not just with words, but with our presence, our service, and our unwavering hope.

Let's commit to being a people who pray for our enemies, who bless those who persecute us, and who refuse to be silenced by fear. Let’s lean into our church families, strengthening one another for the work ahead. Let this tragedy inspire us to stand firm with a faith that is active, bold, and full of the love of Christ. The world is watching. Let’s show them Jesus.

I hope that this explanation and some practical application helps you right now. I’ve been working through these tragedies too—and I’m deeply grateful that God gives us a roadmap of how to respond. May you be blessed as you grow in Him! - Jeff

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Christopher Sardegna 

Dr. Roger Barrier went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 16th, 2024. He was a faithful servant of Christ with a lifetime worth of ministry and mentorship. Dr. Barrier held degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. He used his immense expertise daily to guide and mentor others in their spiritual walks. He had a global impact with his book Listening to the Voice of God, which is available in both Thai and Portuguese. His newest book, written with his daughter Brianna Barrier Wetherbee, is Look Like Jesus: A Guide to Spiritual Growth. He and his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier, founded Preach It, Teach It, a pastoral teaching site that provides countless resources, including articles, sermons, podcasts, sermon starters, Bible studies, and devotionals. His family will honor Dr. Barrier’s legacy by continuing the ministry of Ask Roger and preachitteachit.org for years to come as they share more than two thousand still-unpublished sermons and Ask Roger articles. 

Jeff Love has dedicated his life to ministry for over four decades, spending the last 32 of those years as the lead pastor of Alive Church in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. With a bachelor’s degree in theology and a doctorate in ministry, Jeff brings both wisdom and compassion to every aspect of his calling. He is a certified church strategist and life planner, using these gifts to help individuals and congregations discover and embrace the transformed life God has planned for them—a journey deeply rooted in the message of Romans 12:2. More than just a pastor, Jeff is also an artist and musician, channeling his creativity to develop and freely share valuable resources with other churches and ministries. He finds profound inspiration in the beauty of God's creation, which fuels his desire to help others experience the rich and satisfying life God promises in John 10:10. During his early time in the pastorate, Jeff was also under the mentorship of Dr. Roger Barrier.

This Ask Roger article may feature insights from Roger's wife, Dr. Julie Barrier, co-founder of Preach It, Teach It, worship minister, concert artist, and adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, or his daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.