When the Waters Rise, Can Faith Hold? A Discussion After Texas’ Tragedy

When the Waters Rise, Can Faith Hold? A Discussion After Texas’ Tragedy

As Christians reflect on suffering, tragedy, and trust in God, we invite your voice in Crosswalk Forums.
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What should have been a joyful Independence Day in Texas turned into heartbreak. Catastrophic flash floods struck the Guadalupe River, sweeping away families, campers, and communities—leaving at least 82 dead, many more still missing, and thousands grieving in the Texas Hill Country. Among the missing and deceased are young girls from Camp Mystic, long-time leaders in the area, and family members whose last moments were spent in rescue efforts.

In moments like these, we often ask: Where is God?
Why does He allow such devastation—and how do we keep trusting Him when it feels like the world is falling apart?

The Bible reminds us that “The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34:22). But to grieving families, verses like this may sound more like mystery than comfort. When the floodwaters rise—literally or spiritually—what does faith look like?

Some find peace in prayer, others struggle with doubt, and many simply mourn with those who mourn. The article below offers powerful, specific prayers for first responders, survivors, and those who’ve lost loved ones.

How do you personally make sense of tragedy like this through the lens of faith?
What would you say to someone who lost a child in this flood and wonders if God sees them?

“We praise you, Jesus, for You are near to the brokenhearted, and You give strength to the weary.”

Read the full prayer devotional and join us in prayer and discussion:

:folded_hands::dove::broken_heart:

Be thankful for everything. This disaster, which is still unfolding, is so sad. So many beautiful, young lives gone.
God Bless all of you,

God is where he always is. On his throne.

As Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5 it is not that those who die are sinful, but it is a warning that there is a day of judgement coming.

What happened in Texas was aweful, but we have no right to expect to be protected from flood, fires etc etc.

How should we respond to those we know who have suffered in tragady?

With love and care.
How do we help those with doubts and questions?
With honesty, we don’t know why they died or suffered, but we know a God who can give peace amidst suffering
and we can point out the brutal truth, if they reject God, where are they going to turn for comfort?

Are you saying god was responsible for this disaster?

Planet6412, you asked if God was responsible for the disaster. That’s the question that surfaces every time human comfort collides with divine control.

Yes… God is sovereign. Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.” Nothing happens outside His authority. But no… that doesn’t mean He’s the author of evil or the architect of chaos. He permits what He does not promote, and in a fallen world groaning under the weight of sin, even nature itself is out of joint. Romans 8:22 says creation is groaning… not because God is cruel, but because sin poisoned everything it touched.

God didn’t promise a stormless life. He promised to be present in the storm. Isaiah 43:2 doesn’t say “if” you pass through the waters… it says “when”… and it adds this: “I will be with you.” That’s not distance… that’s divine mercy right in the middle of the mess.

So was God responsible? He was present. He was sovereign. But He was not unjust. If anything, the real question is why disasters like this don’t happen more often. And the answer is grace.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

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Maybe what he really wants is robots.

@Planet6412, if God wanted robots, He wouldn’t have placed a tree in the middle of the garden.

He made us with choice… not because He needed affirmation, but because love without freedom is coercion, and God doesn’t deal in counterfeit love. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes it plain… “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” Robots don’t choose. Image-bearers do.

The cross doesn’t make sense in a robotic universe. If we’re just programmed to obey, what exactly was Christ redeeming? Why call for repentance if we’re hardwired to comply? No… God wanted children who could walk away so that when they return, it means something.

He doesn’t need robotic worship. He desires spirit and truth… hearts that surrender, not circuits that obey. Love that’s real enough to rebel is love that’s worthy when it returns.

You’re not a robot. You’re either a rebel or a son. One bows by force… the other by grace.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

I agree, life itself is dangerous, all aspects of it.