It was one more typical day at school. The students were in their study halls, learning about math, science, and writing. And afterward, abruptly, the world changed. A shooter strolled into the school and began shooting, killing honest kids and staff. This has become a very common occurrence in our society. As we find out about one more appalling school shooting, our hearts break for the people in question and their families. However, as Christians, we can’t surrender trust. We should recall that God is still in charge, in any event, when misfortune strikes.
In the midst of such darkness, it can be hard to find light. But as Christians, we know that God is a God of justice and mercy. He promises to comfort us in times of tragedy and to heal our brokenness. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the news of the shooting, or if you know someone who is grieving, please take a few minutes to read this devotional. Ma-y it bring you comfort in these trying times.
God is a sanctuary in a season of tempests.
It is natural to feel these things immediately after such a misfortune, but as Christians, we must seek out trust and mend in the midst of our anguish. Scripture lets us know that God is our “shelter and strength, an exceptionally present assistance in a tough situation” (Psalm 46:11). We can find trust in realizing that our radiant Father is with us amidst this misfortune. He knows our aggravation and distress, and He needs to comfort us. Moreover, we have the guarantee of timeless existence with God in heaven. Additionally, we have the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. This world is not our home, and we can take comfort in knowing that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones who have passed away.
He will never leave you alone.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18.
He is the healer of the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
When we are feeling weak and helpless, we can turn to Him for help. God is the best doctor we can have. If you are feeling brokenhearted or wounded by this tragedy, know that God can heal you. God is close to us when we are going through tough times. He understands our pain and suffering. God is near us when we are going through difficult stretches. He figures out our agony and languishing.
God will make our future good for us.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or agony, because the old request for things has died. Revelation 21:14
At some point, all the aggravation and suffering we currently experience will be no more. These moaning days are hanging around for some time. This guarantee of trust can assist us with getting past these difficult stretches. I understand that this time makes it difficult to see, but God, who is the manager of guarantees, will get it going. John 16:33 lets us know that in this world we will experience difficulty, yet we can cheer up in light of the fact that Jesus has defeated the world. So, let us hold on to trust even amidst misfortune. Allow us never to surrender.
These devotions remind us that we are not alone in our grief. We can find hope and healing in God. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Jesus tells us that we will have trouble in this world. But we can take heart because He has overcome the world. When we are feeling troubled, we can turn to Jesus for peace and comfort. These devotions can help us find hope and healing after the Texas school shooting.
I’m far away, but how can I assist?
Maybe you are there in apathy, just feeling sorry for the victims. The following are five different ways you can help victims be hopeful after this misfortune:
Please pray for the individuals in grief and their families.
Petitioning heaven can assist us with finding trust and healing after the Texas school shooting. We can petition God for the people in grief and their families. We can petition God for the local area of Santa Fe. We can petition God for our country. Petitioning heaven is a useful asset that can assist them with handling pain and tracking down solace in God.
Praying for them is an imperative piece of the Christian life, and it is particularly significant in the midst of tragedy. When we lift up the victims and their families in prayer, we are asking God to comfort them and give them strength. We are also asking him to bring justice and healing in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Make a donation to a relief fund.
When misfortunes like this occur, there are consistently associations that set up alleviation funds to help the people in question and their families. Donating to one of these funds is a tangible way to help those who have been affected by the shooting. It is also a way to show them that they are not alone; that we, as a society, are standing with them in this difficult time.
The following are a couple of associations that have set up help assets for the survivors of the Texas school shooting:
– The Santa Fe Education Foundation has set up an account to give monetary help to the groups of grieving individuals. You can give here.
– GoFundMe has set up a page with various raised support lobbies for the people in question and their families. You can see them here.
– The Texas Education Agency has set up an asset to assist with the expenses of directing and other emotional wellness administrations for understudies, staff, and families impacted by the shooting. You can give here.
3) Contact someone you know who was impacted by the shooting.
If you know someone who was affected by the shooting, reach out to them and offer your support. This could be a student who attends the school, a teacher or staff member, or a parent of one of the victims. Just letting them know that you are thinking of them and are available to talk to can make a big difference.
Contacting somebody who is impacted by the shooting is perhaps the most important thing you can do to help. Simply telling them that you are considering them and that you are accessible to talk to can have a major effect.
Service
One more method for combatting the trouble of the Texas school shooting is to serve the people who have been impacted by it. This could mean giving blood, sending cards or care bundles to groups of the people in question, or chipping in at a nearby sorrow-directing focus. When we serve others right after misfortune, we are assisting in carrying light into the dimness.
Thoughtful gestures
One of the best ways to combat sadness is to perform acts of kindness. This can be something as simple as smiling at someone, holding the door open for a stranger, or paying for someone’s coffee. When we perform acts of kindness, we are sharing a little bit of light and love in a world that desperately needs it.
Appreciation
Finally, one of the best ways to combat sadness is to focus on gratitude. In the midst of tragedy, it can be easy to forget all the good that still exists in the world. But if we take a moment to focus on the things we are thankful for, it can help us to see the world in a different light.
Prayer, service, acts of kindness, and gratitude are all ways we can help to combat the sadness of the Texas school shooting. Let us remember the victims and their families in our prayers. In the midst of such darkness, let us remember that there is still hope. Let us hold on to that hope, and let us never give up.
May this be your prayer for you today.
If you’re not sure what to pray, here is a prayer for the victims and their families:
O God of love, compassion, and healing, we come before you in the midst of great sorrow. We grieve for those who have been killed and wounded in today’s school shooting in Texas. We pray for their families and friends who are grieving their loss.
Comfort those who are hurting, O Lord. Bring your healing touch to those who are wounded, both physically and emotionally. Strengthen those who are working to save lives and bring comfort to the bereaved.
We also pray for all of us who are feeling afraid and vulnerable in the wake of this tragedy. Help us to remember that you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Give us your peace, O Lord. Amen.
Final thoughts
How should we move on to the future? Record your thoughts and feelings about what happened.
Handling your contemplations and sentiments about a misfortune like this can be useful in preparing for the future. Stand in opposition to weapon brutality. We really want to effectively keep these misfortunes from reoccurring. Ask that God would utilize this misfortune to stir our country’s requirement for stricter firearm control regulations. Safeguard our youngsters and end this pandemic of acts of mass violence.
Support drives emotional well-being. Many of these shootings are carried out by people who are struggling with mental illness. We need to destigmatize mental health issues and get people the help they need.