@Pied_Pfeffer – I agree with you about those natural disasters. Those will have much longer-term effects, and have dramatically changed every-day life for whole communities, countries, etc.
When natural disasters strike, I do react and respond in ways that fit the situation.
In reference to this question, though, I’m thinking about man-made tragedies.
Where I live, almost every day lately there is a story in the news about a young child who was killed by gunshot, most likely due to gang activity. It had happened so frequently lately, that I just feel helpless and numb. (I don’t live in the same area, but the same city as these tragedies.)
I feel anger towards man-made terror, but I’ve learned over time that my heart-felt desire to stop the violence will do nothing to change things. Crazy happens. Terror happens. The only thing I can do is care for those around me, be a part of my community, contribute resources whenever possible to those in need, and pray for peace.
I’m just sad that I feel numb. I’m angry that repetitive violence has been allowed to exist. I think, one person or a group of people can do nothing to stop it; but a nation, a whole society, can make subtle changes to limit its destructive pattern.