God's Word makes it clear that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Romans 1:18-20 shows that even those who don't know God's Word have an intuition of right and wrong and God's judgment against sin.

For anyone to live in sin, as shown by this prodigal son in Luke 15:11-17, they have to be deceived. This is exactly what the Bible says is the case in 2 Corinthians 4:4. When Jesus said, "he came to himself," He was referring to the deception being removed and the son's spiritual eyes being opened.

Like this story of the prodigal, tragedy often brings people out of deception and back to their senses. It's not that God sends the tragedy. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, "Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee" (Jeremiah 4:18). 

Tragic situations do illustrate that "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23), and they cause us to look somewhere else for help. Although turning to God is always beneficial, regardless of what provides the motivation, "hard knocks" are not the best teacher.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." God's Word was given for reproof and correction and if we will submit to it, we can "be perfect, thoroughly furnished" without having to experience tragedy first.