WRESTLING WITH FAITH IN THE FACE OF TRAGEDY
Tragedy often leaves us grappling with profound questions. When floodwaters unexpectedly rise, buildings crumble, and lives are lost, many experience their faith being put to the test by the turmoil around them. The recent Guadalupe River flood that ravaged Texas on July 4th has led many to deep reflection, pondering questions that have resonated throughout human history since the time of Job: Why do the innocent suffer? Where is God amid all this pain? As a pastor and grandmother of twins who survived this terrifying ordeal, I found myself deeply reflecting on these age-old questions myself, searching for a deeper understanding amidst the chaos swirling around me.
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IT'S OKAY TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS
Asking these questions, even to God, doesn't indicate a lack of faith. Instead, it reflects our authentic human struggle to reconcile an all- powerful and loving God with an imperfect world. Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people asking similar questions. Job, who lost everything in a single day, posed many questions in his grief. Even Jesus, hanging on the cross, cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Throughout history, countless believers have sought solace in God during times of overwhelming suffering, bringing their deepest and most challenging questions to Him.
Some might suggest that natural disasters like the Guadalupe River flood represent divine punishment. Jesus directly addressed this misconception in Luke 13 when people asked him about two contemporary tragedies: Galileans killed by Pilate and eighteen people crushed by a falling tower. His response was unequivocal: "Do you think they were worse sinners than others? I tell you, no." The counselors, staff, camp directors, parents, and families affected by the flood were not being punished in any form or fashion. These tragic events stemmed from a fallen world, not a malevolent or angry God. The scriptures reveal to us that the earth (all of creation) groans under the weight of brokenness—a reality we have lived with since the Garden of Eden.
GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS
So where was God during the flood? He was present in every act of courage and compassion that emerged from the chaos. He was in the hands of rescuers reaching into raging waters, in the voices of counselors calming terrified children, in the strength of camp leaders, firefighters, first responders, and neighbors who risked everything to save another. God's presence didn't prevent the disaster, but it illuminated the darkness with acts of sacrificial love—some of which cost the rescuers their own lives as they tried to save just one more child.
Our hope as Christians doesn't rest in perfect circumstances or guaranteed safety. Our hope is anchored in a Redeemer who lives, who himself walked through suffering, and who promises that death doesn't have the final word. As Jesus assured us, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies." And "No one can snatch them out of my hand"—not wind, not rain, not floodwaters, not even death itself. This eternal perspective doesn't eliminate our grief, but it does transform it.
NAVIGATING GRIEF AND SETTING BOUNDARIES
In times of overwhelming sorrow, setting healthy boundaries becomes essential. Give yourself permission to say no to draining expectations and yes to quiet moments with God. Respect your own limits when it comes to consuming news, particularly stories that may be hateful or divisive. Set aside daily time for silence, scripture, and stillness as a boundary against chaos. These practices create space for the Holy Spirit to minister to your wounded heart when explanations fall short.
God's grace has overcome the cross, conquered the tomb, and will ultimately redeem the natural disasters of our broken world. As we wait for that complete restoration, we're called to grieve honestly, remember gratefully, and rebuild compassionately. Most importantly, we're invited to trust the grace of a God who weeps with us and walks beside us through every valley—even when the waters rise.
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