I've just been in shock watching all the pictures on television of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina. Where was God in all of this? Why did He let it happen—or does He even care? — Mrs. E.M.

I don't know why God let this awful catastrophe happen; as I often say, only in heaven will we fully understand why God allowed terrible things like this to take place.

But I do know this: God cares very deeply about every person whose life has been touched by this tragedy. In the midst of their suffering and hardship, God has not abandoned them, and He wants to assure them of His presence. Many of them have lost everything they owned except the clothes on their back&mdaash;but God still spared their lives, and He wants to give them hope for the future. They can truly say with King David in the Bible, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters" (Psalm 18:16).

One of the ways God has shown His care for the victims of this tragedy is through the compassion of others. We have seen an outpouring of concern and financial help that is unprecedented in our history. The Bible promises, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).

I hope we will continue to pray for those whose lives have been disrupted by this terrible disaster. And may this event remind each of us of the brevity of life, and the need to build our lives on Christ.