When the World Breaks Your Heart: Spiritual Ways of Living with Tragedy [Paperback]

Gregory S. Clapper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1998

"Turn on the tv news, and you'll see an endless parade of tragedy and despair happening each day: war, severe weather, terrorism, accidents. We think we're immune; tragedy happens to ""someone else."" It's hard to think about, but our lives aren't charmed. We'll all have to face pain and heartbreak at some point in our lives. How do you deal with it? Using his experience as a National Guard chaplain ministering to those involved in the United Flight 232 Sioux City, Iowa, disaster, Clapper offers hope for living with tragedy. His empathetic and confident statement of faith helps us see beyond the event and recognize God's presence in the midst of heartache. The big question is always, ""Why?"" Well, no one can answer that, but Clapper offers consolation through a confident statement of faith. This book will help you see beyond the event and recognize God's presence in the midst of the worst day of your life."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clapper (associate professor of religion and philosophy, University of Indianapolis, and associate director of the Center for Christian Vocation) was on his way to see a movie with his family when he noticed a plane flying low over the airport in Sioux City, Iowa. A dark cloud of smoke soon followed. Then came the radio announcement that United Airlines Flight 232, carrying 297 passengers, had crashed, leaving 113 dead. Clapper rushed to the scene, aiding the rescue workers in an attempt to pull survivors from the wreckage. In those hours following the crash, Clapper found himself being challenged to bring spiritual comfort and understanding to those around him. This text is a reflective look at the memories and lessons Clapper learned from this disaster and its aftermath of pain. The author quickly admits to feeling inadequate as he was called upon to deliver messages of hope to those injured both in body and spirit. He shares stories about relationships formed through mutual suffering and about his role as a spiritual leader and advocate. Throughout this book, he delves into the mystery of suffering and how it has the potential to bring hope and healing, how our lack of control brings a sense of healthy humility and the amazing impact a gentle spirit has on those who require a tender touch. Clapper writes with candor and obvious deep regard for those survivors whose courage has enriched his life immensely.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835808424
• ISBN-13: 978-0835808422
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,567,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful book for the tragic, February 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When the World Breaks Your Heart: Spiritual Ways of Living with Tragedy (Paperback)

Feels a little like reading the news online about the latest airplane tragedy, but the author is dealing with the aftermath of an airplane crash some time back. Despite the time difference, the author's focus on the spiritual ways to deal with tragedies (whether the crash of an airplane, a car accident, a tornado, a divorce)seems very helpful and should spark some conversation among religious people and religious seekers. How do we find the answers to the mystery of tragedy? Clapper does not offer anything easy, though he writes in a way that is comprehensible. A book worth reading before the tragedy happens.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Book for Survivors, June 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: When the World Breaks Your Heart: Spiritual Ways of Living with Tragedy (Paperback)

This book feels real. It talks about faith and spiritual resources in order to live in the aftermath of the disasters that happen. That simply happen. No one's fault. Just there. I've lived through tornadoes, hurricanes, divorce, deaths. Enough to ask the "Why" question, but that seemed like the stuff of a never-ending all-night conversation . This book assumes that the horrors happen and then it helps people receive the spiritual resources to live through the tragedies. That may sound easy, but the author is not a fundamentalist with pat and trite answers. Clapper shows his intelligence by insisting that we accept the Mystery--not passively quitting, but actively accepting and living with Mystery. That is not an answer I've seen very many church preachers give, but the author builds well on this premise.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope in the midst of tragedy!, May 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: When the World Breaks Your Heart: Spiritual Ways of Living with Tragedy (Paperback)

Gregory Clapper was an Air National Guard chaplain in Iowa when United Airlines flight 232 crashed. Over one-hundred people. Clapper ministered to the families of the victims, those who survived, and even members of the various National Guard and governmental agencies involved in sifting the wreckage.

His book is not a thrill-seeking story. It is a thoughtful spiritual reflection on the crash. Clapper examines small interactions and relationships . In these reflections Clapper offers six resources for living with tragedy, something which we cannot escape. His resources range from embracing the essential mystery of life to releasing the tears to living with hope. This evocative book brings forth tears and joy and a sense of God's reign in the midst of imperfection.

Considering the numbers of tragic events (e.g., ethnic cleansing, high school and grade school shootings, natural disasters), this engrossing book is a must read.