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Christians can trust God in the face of tragedy—even when answers are hard to find.

The truth is, suffering and sorrow are part of the Christian journey. But none of it catches God by surprise. He has a way of turning mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). He brings great good out of great pain.

Three events this morning brought that home for me again. On the surface, they may appear to be unrelated coincidences. But in the Christian life, there are no coincidences—only what we might call God-incidences.

Each one reminds us that even in the most difficult situations, God is present, purposeful, and at work.

1. A Biblical Promise That Offers Reassurance

As I opened the Scriptures this morning, I was struck once again by the hope we find in Isaiah 25:8:

“He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.”

This remarkable verse points forward to the final victory of God over death and sorrow. We see it echoed in Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.”

In a world that often feels overwhelmed by grief and tragedy, these words provide rock-solid assurance. The pain of this life will not have the final word. God has spoken—and His promises stand.

2. The Legacy of Keith Green and Others Who Died Young

Also, this morning, I was reminded of the tragic plane crash that took the life of Keith Green 43 years ago, on 28 July 1982. He was only 28. Two of his young children also died in that crash, along with several others. The news at the time stunned the Christian world. Why would God take such a gifted and faithful servant at such a young age?

And yet, Keith’s music and ministry have not faded. If anything, they’ve only grown stronger. His uncompromising message, heartfelt worship, and prophetic voice continue to move believers around the world. Death did not silence his witness.

Keith was not alone. Many others with remarkable ministries also died young:

• Jim Elliot, the American missionary and martyr, was only 29.

• David Brainerd, missionary to the American Indians, also died at 29.

And yet—as Hebrews 11:4 says—“Though dead, they still speak.”

Their lives may have been short, but the spiritual fruit continues. God often chooses to glorify Himself through those who suffer loss—even through death itself. What looks like tragedy becomes triumph in the hands of the sovereign God.

3. The Courage of Dr Jereth Kok and the Reality of Modern Persecution

The third event that marked my morning was a reminder of a different kind of suffering: persecution for standing firm in one’s Christian convictions.

A major US-based Christian organisation reached out to me, asking for contact information regarding Dr Jereth Kok, a Christian GP here in Australia. They had heard about his case and wanted to connect with him directly. Jereth agreed, and I passed the information along.

His story is a sobering example of what is happening across the Western world. A faithful doctor, loved and respected by his patients, Jereth was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia over comments he made on social media—in his own time—expressing Christian views on abortion, gender ideology, and other moral issues.

After six years, a ruling has finally been handed down. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found him guilty of “professional misconduct”—not for anything he did in the clinic, but simply for expressing his biblical beliefs online.

The Human Rights Law Alliance, which has been defending Jereth, wrote this in response:

“VCAT… found Christian GP and HRLA client Dr Jereth Kok guilty of professional misconduct – not for any clinical failing, but for expressing his deeply held views on social media…

“This decision is disappointing to Dr Kok, who was suspended over six years ago and has lost his career. But the ramifications extend much further…

“The decision raises concerns about whether Australia will continue to allow employers, regulators, and government to exercise power over free speech and the expression of personal, political, and religious opinions.”

Dr Kok has suffered greatly, and you can read more about the legal implications here. He had to find other work to support his family. He never should have been treated this way.

But even here, God is at work. His story is now going global, and his refusal to compromise has already inspired many. His example may help strengthen others facing similar hostility for standing on biblical truth.

When Tragedy Strikes, God Still Reigns

Whether it’s the sudden death of a young minister, the sustained attack on a believer’s reputation and livelihood, or the deep sorrow that comes from personal tragedy, the truth remains: God is not absent. He is always at work—even when we cannot see the outcome.

The story of Joseph reminds us of this truth. After all his suffering and betrayal, he could still say to his brothers:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

We will not get all our answers in this life. But we know this: God never wastes our pain. The lives of Keith Green, Jim Elliot, David Brainerd, and now Dr Jereth Kok stand as lasting reminders.

No suffering is outside God’s notice. He sustains us through persecution, and uses even our deepest wounds toward His eternal purposes.

Our mourning will soon be turned into dancing—forever.

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Edited and republished with thanks to CultureWatch. Image via Last Days Ministries and Facebook/Dr Jereth Kok.