Integrative Reflections on Disasters, Suffering, and the Practice of Spiritual and Emotional Care

Abstract

Disasters are an ever-present part of the broken world that we inhabit. Research has shown that churches often play an important role in providing spiritual and emotional care in the wake of disasters. Over the last decade much has been written about disaster spiritual care. Though a few of these resources draw from Scripture, an integrative framework is lacking in this burgeoning body of literature. In this article, we provide some preliminary considerations of disasters and suffering based on a sampling of biblical narratives and we offer psychologically informed recommendations for providing disaster spiritual care. We can respond to suffering in any number of ways: indifference, blaming the survivor, feeling overwhelmed, and/or seeking ways to intervene helpfully. We contend that Christians have an obligation to offer tangible help when we are able to do so in times of catastrophe. We further argue that following Jesus compels us to be careful of the attitudes we have towards those who suffer. Our hope is that this article will help spark theological exploration of disaster spiritual and emotional care and will spur Christians to provide wise, compassionate care to those affected by disasters.