Well, I began this post with the intent of trying to piece together my thoughts this morning. At our weekly “Parent’s of Prayer” group we focused our prayers around Hope – not for any reason except that it was the next verse on our list – I thought is was Romans 12:15 and must have inverted the numbers, so I looked it up in order to get all of the words right, and instead, I found something that is perhaps more relevant to my thoughts this morning – go figure:
so….Romans 12: 9-21 (copied from biblegateway.com along with their title)
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c]Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
With the tragedy of the marathon yesterday, the earthquake in Iran today, with a double homicide being investigated in my very town, and me being scared to raise my kids in this crazy, scary and saddening world, that mess of verses from Romans was what I needed to read.
Do not be overcome by evil. It’s a short post, but I can’t think of what else to write at the moment and thought I’d share, because hope sometimes needs a kick start when the entire world seems to be falling apart around us.
Over Around and Through 
I’m so glad you shared this with me! It helps to know how others handle tragedy. Thank you!
Annie