Don't Let a Tragedy Around You Become a Tragedy Within You

Sermon outline

Tragedies happen to everyone, as they ran through Solomon's life, but you can stop a tragedy around you from becoming a tragedy within you, because your future is too wonderful to stop and God is able.

1. Tragedies happen to everyone

   Tragedies happen to Christians and non-Christians, to nice people and not so nice people. He defines tragedy as adversity, disaster, misfortune, a setback, a trial, a sad event, hardship: the hard knocks of life. Before the message he also reminds the church that when you least deserve it, God fires a shot of grace your way and lifts you up.

   “Tragedies happen to everyone.”

   • Proverbs 4:1-13

2. Tragedies were woven through the fabric of Solomon's life

   Solomon grew up in a home of tragedy: his father David had his mother's first husband Uriah killed in battle, his sister was raped by one of her brothers, Absalom tried to destroy his father's rule, and his own brother tried to wrestle the kingship from him. Yet Solomon kept his focus, believed in his destiny and in God, and saw the golden rewards of persistence beyond his tragedies.

   Illustration: Imagine growing up with the whole neighbourhood knowing your dad was a murderer.

   “Persistence is not a chosen quality. It is produced by obsession.”

   • 2 Samuel 11
   • 2 Samuel 13
   • 2 Samuel 15
   • 1 Kings 1:5

3. Don't let a tragedy around you become a tragedy within you

   Solomon wrote that there is a time for everything, and he embraced every season, so don't cry out in alarm: everybody is living life, and someone else had your difficult season last year. Money can't buy everything; when death knocks, the rich are as helpless as anyone. Betrayal, absent parents or unfortunate circumstances may pause you, but your dream must go on and you must refuse to fail.

   Illustration: Mary Kay Ash's husband died suddenly just before she opened her business, in the middle of the biggest dream of her life. She fought back the tears, went back to her dream, and with her son built something that has helped thousands of women succeed in business.

   “The successful cannot always prevent a tragedy around them, but they can prevent it from becoming a tragedy within them.”

   • Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

4. Number one: you can prevent a tragedy from destroying you

   You cannot prevent every tragedy from occurring, but you can stop it from destroying you.

   “You cannot prevent every tragedy from occurring, but you can prevent it from destroying you.”

5. Number two: your future is too wonderful to stop

   No one can stop your future if you keep on believing and pressing on, because God is for you, not against you.

   “Your future is too wonderful to stop.”

   • Romans 8:31

6. Number three: the broken often become masters at mending

   There will be some breaking and some embarrassing moments in the Christian life, but that is what lets you turn around and stitch somebody else. Your inner pain can make you the golden key of healing for someone who is hurting, so let your tragedy soften your heart.

   “The broken often become masters at mending.”

7. Number four: those who unlock your compassion are those to whom you have been assigned

   When someone stirs up your heart of caring, pay attention, because God has assigned you to help that person, and that is usually a golden link to your future.

   “Those who unlock your compassion are those to whom you have been assigned.”

8. Number five: don't keep asking the wrong questions

   Instead of asking 'why', ask what the next step is to your destiny and your dream. When you ask the right questions, God will speak to you and you will receive the right answers.

   “Instead of asking the question why, ask the question, what is my next step to my destiny?”

9. Number six: give yourself time to heal

   Time is a great healer. You may cry, feel lonely, depressed or secluded, but within days or months you will come right again and become stronger than before.

   “Time is a great healer.”

10. Number seven: don't rush away from the scene of pain

    There is a lot to learn and feel in pain, so when you suffer a loss, take time to look and change, then pour yourself into your future. Promotion comes from the Lord, who is your agent, opening doors and speaking for you, while Jesus intercedes for you and angels work on your behalf in setbacks and victories alike.

    Illustration: A minister told of a mother at her child's funeral who said nearly all her conversations with her child had been arguments, and had she known, she would have changed them to enjoyment.

    “Your future is too good to be ignored.”

    • Psalm 75:6-7
    • Hebrews 7:25

11. Pace yourself, take breaks and be patient with yourself

    After a setback, pace yourself and get stronger every day. You are not a machine, so take breaks, come up for air and don't feel guilty. Many grew up under great expectations, so give yourself some slack and stop to celebrate what you have achieved.

    Illustration: Live a little slower so you can chew on your successes and get the juicy taste out of them, instead of swallowing your meal whole.

    “You're not a machine.”

12. Forgive yourself and release all criticism

    Forgive yourself for not being able to control the situation, practise self-care and self-compassion, and release all criticism against yourself and others, because criticism leaves you a rust heap. Forgive your enemies and those who hate you; you don't have to join them, but pray 'Lord, bless them', and God will bless and uplift you.

    “I'm not asking you to join them, I'm asking you just to forgive them.”

13. Keep the faith: God is able

    His last point is to keep the faith in all you do and say and not give up, because God is able. Hide it in your heart so that it is deeply imprinted there.

    “Keep the faith. Don't give up. God is able.”