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Katrina and the waves
 Looking back on the horrors of their experiences, holocaust survivors note that such abject cruelty brought out particular characteristics in its victims.
Natural character traits, be they of generosity or spite or kindness, were all exaggerated in the crucible of suffering.
In other words, people became what they already were to a greater degree.
Not only this, but the only thing which emerged unscathed from the death camps was true human goodness.
As we look out on the scenes of devastation from the latest natural disaster, what do we see?
What has it brought out in people, so far as we can tell from such a distance?
Perhaps we can see this more clearly by a comparison with the tsunami which befell South East Asia at the start of the year.
In that instance, suffering appeared to ennoble both rich and poor.
The poor showed true nobility of spirit as they helped each other out of their poverty.
Not only this, but they gave succour and shelter to the rich tourists who found themselves stranded and distraught.
Meanwhile, rich people elsewhere around the world likewise showed a great nobility of spirit as they rushed to help.
Some rushed onto planes to donate their skills, and others rushed to their cheque books.
Reputedly 8 out of 10 people in the UK alone gave to the disaster relief fund.
On the Gulf Coast of America, on the other hand, disaster seems to have brought out the worst in people.
There is looting and brutality on the streets, rescue helicopters are turned away by gunfire and the authorities appear paralysed.
Many of the resources which should be deployed for the evacuation are instead taken up with law enforcement on the mean and devastated streets.
Of course, this may represent nothing more than a skew in reporting.
The same correspondents who brought us tales of human goodness from Banda Aceh and elsewhere are now bringing tales of misery instead.
There was no looting to report on in Banda Aceh because there was nothing to loot, whereas in America that is not the case.
But why do they choose to tell us about it?
Is it to draw attention to the needs, to expose the American Administration or to show the soft underbelly of the mighty American eagle?
Maybe the humbling of a superpower makes for a good story…
It is for the authorities to decide what defences to put in place in order to prevent a recurrence of the physical disaster.
The task of putting true goodness in human hearts so that it might be exposed in times of trial lies elsewhere.
What have you done today to prepare your heart for the hard times?
Centuries ago the psalmist wrote that he had "hidden your (God's) word in my heart", which is a good place to start.
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