Peace in a Dangerous World: Reflections from a Grieving Dad’s Heart

When the News Hits Too Close to Home 

Two recent car crashes in the Philippines shook me deeply. One on SCTEX claimed 10 lives and injured 37 others—families torn apart, including a couple who died while their two-year-old child survived. Another accident happened near NAIA Terminal 1, where a black SUV slammed through a railing, killing two people, one of them a five-year-old girl. Just days earlier, a single mother of six died—while five others were injured, when a wayward SUV crashed into a group of pedestrians. It was another case rooted in negligence.

These weren’t just headlines. They were reminders that tragedy can strike without warning. As a father to one, and now preparing to welcome our second child, I was enveloped by fear. What kind of world are we raising our children in? How do we keep them safe when even a simple drive or an airport drop-off can end in heartbreak? 

The Weight of Fear and Doubt 

Fear has a way of creeping in unnoticed. It started with a simple ache in my chest after reading the news. Then the questions poured in: 

• What if that had been us? 
• Is this world just spiraling out of control? 
• Why does God allow these tragedies? 

I’m a born-again Christian. I’ve served in ministry. I’ve preached about the Lord’s  goodness. But in this moment, I couldn’t help but feel like the psalmist in Psalm 73—angry, confused, and even a little resentful. 

Psalm 73: A Mirror to My Soul 

Last Sunday, the message at church was based on Psalm 73. I didn’t know how much I needed it. The psalmist Asaph opens up with the same frustration many of us feel today: 

Sound familiar? We have the tendency to compare the situation of the poor, the victims, with the privileged. Those who sometimes can be blamed for the unreasonable advantages and gains in the sacrifice of the others’ safety and well being. But what stood out even more were the three personal takeaways that helped me begin to heal, shift my perspective, and find hope again: 

1. Focus on the Internal

“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure…When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply.” (Psalm 73:13-15) 

In moments of grief and fear, we often look outward—at the chaos, the injustice, the loss. But Psalm 73 reminded me to look inward instead. God is working on me. He is: 

• Keeping me safe in ways I don’t always see 
• Healing the wounds I didn’t know I had 
• Providing for our needs despite rising costs and uncertainties 
• Molding my character as a husband, father, and believer 

This doesn’t mean ignoring what’s happening around us. It means recognizing that while we can’t control the world, we can trust in the work God is doing inside us. 

To fellow parents: Pay attention to your emotional and spiritual health. Your children are watching how you process pain and uncertainty. Let them see faith, not fear, leading the way. 

2. Come into God’s Presence

“Till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (Psalm 73:16-22) 

This hit me like a wave. In my anxiety, I had been distancing myself from God. I was questioning Him but not talking to Him. 

The sanctuary isn’t just a church building. It’s that quiet place in your heart where you meet God. It’s in worship, in prayer, even in the broken whispers of, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I still trust You.” 

And guess what? It’s okay to rant. Even the psalmist did. But he didn’t stay there. He let it lead him to deeper faith. 

Don’t run from God when you’re hurting. Run to Him. Whether or not you believe in God the way I do, I encourage you to find a space where you can process your pain. Don’t keep it bottled up. Healing often begins in honest reflection. 

3. Focus on the Eternal

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand…Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:23-26) 

This verse stopped me in my tracks. I was so focused on the temporary danger of this world that I forgot the eternal promises of God. 

As a father, I want to prepare a good future for my kids. But more than a safe environment, I want to give them a solid faith, a grounded heart, and a view of life that goes beyond what they see. 

Life is fragile. But eternity isn’t. 

To Parents and Families Navigating Uncertainty 

We’re living in uncertain times. There are no guarantees. But we have choices: 

• We can choose fear, or we can choose faith. 
• We can stay anxious, or we can find peace in something bigger than ourselves. 
• We can focus on protecting our kids physically, but let’s not forget to equip them spiritually and emotionally. 

To every mom, dad, or guardian reading this: 

You’re not alone in your fear. But you’re also not powerless. Let your home be a place where your children feel loved, heard, and secure—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. 

This is the heart of Thirsty Drifter —navigating life’s uncertainties with faith, reflection, and honest questions. 

God is Still Good 

I still grieve for those who lost their lives in the recent accidents. I still get scared. But I also hold on to the truth that God hasn’t changed. He sees. He knows. And He walks with us through every storm. 

Psalm 73 ends not with a solution, but with a declaration: 

If that’s the only thing I can hold on to today, then it is more than enough. Stay safe. Hug your family tighter. And find your sanctuary, even in the chaos. 

Inspired by the preaching of pastor Marc Sorongon of CCF San Pedro, May 4, 2025.