Earthquakes and tsunamis have the tendency to raise questions such as, “Where was God?” and, “How could a good God let something like this happen?”

Generally speaking, when times are good, most people have faith, whether it be religious or of another nature. Usually it takes something disastrous to cause a person to evaluate his or her worldview seriously and in whom or what he or she places that faith.

Disasters can be a serious challenge to faith and such tragedy has the potential either to weaken or strengthen one’s faith. There are numerous opinions in regard to the subject. Some say natural disasters occur without supernatural involvement, therefore faith is of little to no consequence — it only can be of help in the harrowing aftermath.

Some suggest catastrophic events can be a form of divine punishment as a result of the sins of people. In response, others scoff at these claims and insist the only fault lies beneath the plates of the ocean — not within the morality of a group of people.

Perhaps one should not linger too long over the question of what causes such events, but rather how we will react. On what is our faith really founded? Can one reconcile natural disasters with a loving God?

For some believers, it is easiest to shy away from the topic altogether because it is difficult to offer a completely definitive answer to such questions. However, I believe tragedies do not need to shake one’s faith and it is in these moments one actually can see God most at work.

First of all, suffering and disaster can bring out the best of our humanity if we allow it. If we can reach past initial bitterness and confusion, these experiences can bring about a new empathy with others and create a global sense of community.

God is most at work through people during these times, allowing us to get a better glimpse of what genuine love and compassion look like. He is in the faces of rescue workers and those willing to give for the sake of others.

More importantly, such calamities force us to take a good look inward and determine for whom or what we are living.

Usually we can remain distracted by the pursuits we strive after, but pain and suffering have a way of stripping away such blinders, leading many on a quest for meaning in life.

Our comfort zone fiercely is disrupted and we ask, “Why is this happening?” It is in this moment one can find him or herself moving toward or away from God.

In Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel’s book “Night,” Wiesel recounts a moment where a young boy was hung alongside two adult prisoners in a concentration camp. It reads:

“‘Where is God? Where is He?’ someone behind me asked … and I heard a voice within me answer him: ‘Where is He? Here He is — He is hanging here on this gallows.’”

Although Wiesel intended to imply God was dead and powerless to stop such suffering, his words have a meaning he might not have realized.

During Lent, believers can see God is not insensitive to human suffering. The gift of His son, Jesus, through his life, death and resurrection is proof.

Wiesel’s words become true in a different sense when applied to the cross. To Christians, God relates to suffering by sharing in the pain and longing to relieve it. For believers, faith therefore can remain unshakeable.Regardless of one’s religious beliefs or lack thereof, natural disasters demonstrate how little control we have over the things that happen to us in life.

What we do have control over, however, is our response. We either can respond with doubt and anger, or with continued faith — espousing love and compassion to those in desperate need.

In the words of musician Steven Curtis Chapman, “out of these ashes, beauty will rise.”

Kristen Kitti is a State News guest columnist and an English senior. Reach her at kittikri@msu.edu.