When Tragedy Strikes: How God Can Turn Loss into Purpose

September 11th, 2025
by Pastor Jody Burkeen

Yesterday, the unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk, voice to many, leader, father, public figure, was fatally shot at a public event. Lives changed irrevocably. Hearts broken. Families shattered. Yet even as we grieve, as Christians we hold on to a truth that is greater than death: Our God is sovereign. He sees. He knows. He is not distant. Charlie knew this.

The Shock, the Questions, the Grief
When a death is sudden, especially by violence, a storm of emotions arises: disbelief, sorrow, anger, fear. We wonder why? We long for justice. We wrestle with questions that often have no immediate answer. But Scripture does not leave us alone in the night. David cried out in the Psalms, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1 LSB). He asked hard questions. And so may we.

God’s Sovereignty in the Darkest Hour
Even when evil seems to reign, God is still King. He is not surprised. He is not powerless. Romans 8:28 LSB declares, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” That “all things” includes tragedies, injustices, and violence.

Even in an assassination, God’s purposes are not thwarted. Evil does not have the last word. Death does not define the final story. In Christ, suffering may be redemptive.

Ways God Can Redeem This Loss
Here are some of the ways He can—or is—using this tragedy for His good:

A Call to Unity in the Body of Christ

Tragedy has a way of cutting across partisan, political, or ideological walls. When someone beloved by many is taken, Christians can come together, not dividing around politics, but rallying around truth, prayer, and love. In such unity, the world may see Christ’s love displayed in a powerful way.

Awakening the Church and Awakening Souls

Loss shakes our sense of security. We remember life is fragile. The urgency of the gospel becomes sharper. People often wake up in crises, asking eternal questions: Where will I be in eternity? Do I know Christ? God can use the shock to draw many to Himself.

Justice, Truth, and Righteousness Rising

Evil demands exposure. An unjust death stirs the cry for justice. God is a God of justice. He values truth. As Christians pursue justice, for the family, for society, our witness is strengthened. We show that following Christ means we hate evil, stand for the weak, call out sin, yet love our enemies.

Strengthening of Faith

It is often through the furnace of suffering that faith is refined. We learn to lean less on our own understanding and more on God’s character. We learn to pray deeper, to trust when we cannot see, to hope when the world seems hopeless.

Legacy That Lives On

The life lived does not vanish with the person’s death. Every life touches lives. Every good work, every word spoken, every person influenced—these remain. God can raise up others to continue what was begun. The mission, the work, the voice—though silenced in the flesh—can echo through time by the grace of God.

How Christians Can Respond in This Moment

We weep. Grief is not optional. It’s a human response, and it doesn't dishonor God. Jesus wept. (John 11:35 LSB)

We pray for comfort, for justice, for revelation of truth, for protection for those serving in dangerous places, and for the family left behind.

We proclaim the gospel. In moments when many hearts are asking, Why? We point them to Christ, the One who overcame death and sin.

We live boldly. We don’t let fear or bitterness win. We don’t abandon love or righteousness. We walk in Christ’s footsteps even when the way is dark.

We hold fast to hope. The Christian hope is that death is not the end. For those in Christ, to die is to be present with Him. Revelation promises a day when God will wipe away every tear, there will be no more sorrow, no more death.

A Word of Comfort
To those hurting: God sees you. Your tears are not unnoticed. He hears your cries. In your darkest night, He is there. Trust that He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18 LSB).

And to those who fear: hold firm. Faith is not guaranteed smooth roads, but it is guaranteed the presence of God, and the promise that He will bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3 LSB).

We do not yet know all that God will do through this. But we believe He is working, even now, in hearts, in communities, in our nation. Though this wound cuts deep, in Christ, no wound is wasted.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jody

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