There is a peculiar sense of loss felt when we witness unspeakable tragedy such as the mass shooting that devastated Las Vegas and our nation this week. Raw and varied emotions flow out of our consciousness.  Anger, confusion, sadness and fear flood to the surface of our souls. These sorts of normal reactions unearth deep and serious questions.

How can this sort of thing happen?
Who could do something like this?
Why does this keep happening?
How could God allow this to happen?
If God is real, where is He in all of this?

As Christians, how might we “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have?” (I Peter 3:5) When our neighbors, co-workers, friends and children ask hard-to-answer questions, how should we respond?

1) With Empathy.

Resist the urge to simplify and minimize honest questions with trite…