"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Recently, I was asked to speak at the funeral of my friend's Father. Six months previously, I had done the same thing at her Mother's funeral after her battle with cancer. In preparation, it was hard to find the words - this was a tragic situation. How do I help to bring comfort to this family? How is anyone going to believe there is a God when they are faced with this reality? That task felt beyond me.
I was reminded of this again as I listened to the Priest who led the funeral for the family who died in the Buncrana tragedy. He said, "even the heavens are crying" and that people were crying out "where is God now?"
I asked God to give me the words and He did, He simply told me to tell the family and those at the funeral that there is no tragedy in God. To us situations may seem tragic but that to Him there is no tragedy. He redeems all things to good for those who believe in Him.
God is good, God heals, and we do see breakthrough. However we have all experienced what has felt like tragedy at some point in our lives. Maybe we don't see our breakthrough or healing doesn't happen for someone this side of heaven. When God looks at His children, "tragedy" is not in his vocabulary. He has all the power of heaven to move despite the circumstances and redeem.