We have all had to deal with devastating, life-altering bad news in our lives. It usually catches us totally off guard and unprepared. As we go through the initial shock, everything is a blur. Our emotions run the gamut and overwhelm us. It is all the unknowns that wreak havoc.

When I find myself in such a situation, I do my best to not let my emotions control me. I still feel anger and hurt and grief and sorrow, but I try not to let them control my actions. And I pray. I pray that God would remind me that He is in control. I pray for wisdom and guidance as I navigate my way through the crisis. If the bad news is the result of an individual’s behavior, I pray for the person who inflicted the pain and for those who have been hurt by his or her actions. I pray that God would remind me that He is with all those who have been impacted by this bad news. I turn to God and trust His promises.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

When you have been hurt or harmed, turn to the one who loves you more than anyone else, enough to let His Son die for you.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

When you see someone else who is hurting, be there for him or her. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to show up. And offer them the same comfort you have received from God.