Keeping Perspective in Times of Tragedy

People respond to tragedy in different ways. Some maintain their equilibrium and simply continue to function despite the circumstances. Others are easily overwhelmed by matters large and small. A third response lies between the two: these people keep some of their perspective even in times of tragedy and can focus on the larger picture. Those who ignore tragedy and simply continue to function will never draw the proper lessons from suffering. Those who respond to lesser suffering just as they do to greater suffering find it almost impossible to function, since life is filled with challenges large and small. There are those who say that even such a person can turn this into a positive trait by repenting whenever he meets a problem. But a person who repents in response to troubles at every moment will never be able to focus on future growth. He will be wrapped up in his problems, convinced that he is doing all sorts of terrible things, and he will never move forward. The challenge is to take the third approach: to keep one's perspective, to focus on the larger picture, and from that larger picture to discern at least a hint of Hashem's message through the suffering. This is the meaning of the Talmudic dictum that we lessen our joy during the month of Av. We cannot approach life with our regular full joy, but must take time during these days to look at the broader picture of the suffering of the Jewish people and consider what Hashem is teaching us.