Our nation has experienced much sorrow, loss, and pain in multiple tragedies of breath-taking grief in only a few days. A lot of people have said a lot of things about these tragedies. Our overall reaction to these losses seems to have further increased the polarization of people in our nation.
Polarity in the molecular structure of water is essential and helpful in its influence on the properties of water*. Life as we know it on our planet and in our days revolves around water and its’ innate polarity. Yet when we allow polarity in opinions and differences of thought to control how we consider and respond to others, our lives are neither helpful nor effective for the Gospel to be made known to the nations (see Matthew 28:18-20).
As Christians, we aren’t called to agree with everyone. Yet we are called to love and to consider everyone with humility. Luke 6:31 EASY says this, Treat [people] exactly as you would like them to treat you. And Jesus said it this way in Matthew 22:37-40 ESV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
I know when am loving my God as I should, without leaning on my own understanding while acknowledging Him in all my ways, my words will be truly distinctive in His love, compassion, and humility (see Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 19:14, and Ecclesiastes 10:12). And that distinction will point others straight to the Good News of the Gospel of Christ that brings life and hope to the darkest of places and people (see John 1:5 and 8:12).
With all that in mind, these tragedies convicted me yet again about my own arrogance and need for repentance to have humility planted deep in the soil of my soul (see Psalm chapters 8 and 51 ). And they reminded me of my own need to recognize the sharp inherent pain, sorrow, and loss with these tragedies comes from the deep need for hope in the lives of many (see Romans 5:2).
A hope that comes only from, with, and in our Christ Jesus. He is our hope of glory (see Colossians 1:27)
Only He gives hope that doesn’t flee from or forget pain (see Matthew 12:21).
Only He gives hope that doesn’t fail or fade in the face of adversity (see Hebrews 3:6).
Only He gives hope that doesn’t deny or dismiss sorrow and loss (see Romans 8:25).
Only He gives hope that doesn’t divide or disappoint in the deepest of grief (see Romans 5:5).
Only He gives hope that opens eyes to see past polarized words and actions into a pain distinctive of being deceived by the father of lies (see John 8:44).
As Christians, we must see people as God does.
God sees people in two groups – those who believe Him as the Way, the Truth, the Life and those who don’t** (see John 14:6). And God sees all people in both groups as dearly loved enough to give His own Beloved Son as payment for our sins (see John 3:16-17). Thus, as Christians, we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19 ESV).
As Christians, we are commanded to speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15).
We must speak the truth in the steadfast love of the Lord that endures forever (see Psalm 106:1). For speaking the truth without love often brings more pain and polarity. Yet the truth spoken in love can bring light and life and lead many to God Who loves everyone with His love that’s beyond words or understanding (see 1 John 4:16).
Scripture says it far better than I ever could – here’s some verses for the good of all of us in heart and mind:
1 John 4:7-12 ESV Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 Corinthians 13:13 EASY At this time there are three things that continue. We continue to trust God. We continue to hope for his good things. We continue to love other people. But the most important of these things is love.
*Polarity in chemical terms is simply the uneven distribution of charge around a molecule. Water is polar because of having a primarily positive charge on the end of the molecular where the positively charged hydrogen atoms reside. The other end of the water molecule is primarily negatively charged because of the presence of the negatively charged oxygen atom. In biological terms, we see polarity on our planet with the North Pole and the South Pole differing not just in location but in ecological characteristics of landscape, plant and animal species, etc.
**If you are someone who doesn’t believe in God, please know you are deeply loved by Him. You were made by Him with much love and care and with purpose and plan for every single one of your days. If you’re looking for something to read that will show you God’s love and care for you, I’d recommend starting with reading the book of John in the Bible. You’ve seen many verses in this post from that book which blooms with love, joy, peace, and hope from God for your life. And if you’d like someone to listen, please contact me at drbethmadison@outlook.com. I’d be honored to try and answer your questions with the truth and the love that comes only from our Jesus for your life and mine, too.
written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2025.
If you’re interested in science and/or theology, please join me in taking a look at the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA). ASA is a great place to share ideas and opinions in the freedom of fellowship. ASA is truly a safe place where “we can agree to disagree” all the while caring for everyone in the love of our Jesus.
Here’s the link to learn more about ASA – https://network.asa3.org/default.aspx
Soul Scientist 
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