In the face of heartbreaking tragedies like school shootings, the question of why inevitably surfaces. Why does God allow such senseless suffering? While we may not have simple answers, Scripture and the life of Christ offer us a framework to navigate these moments of deep grief and loss.
First, we affirm that it is right and Christ-like to respond by seeking to alleviate suffering. Jesus Himself was moved with compassion for the hurting and broken (Matthew 14:14). He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and comforted the mourning. Yet even in His earthly ministry, not all suffering was removed. There is a mystery to the way God works in our world—something beyond our full understanding. This does not mean we stand passively by, saying, “God sent this, and He will fix it.” That would be to deny our responsibility as God’s people. Instead, we partner with God, taking every action available to protect, heal, and restore. We pray, we advocate for change, we care for those left shattered.
Second, suffering—especially suffering on this scale—exposes profound realities about our human condition:

1. Our frailty—Life is precious and fragile, reminding us of the limits of our control.
2. Our need for God—Moments like these remind us of how much we depend on a God who is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
3. The sinfulness of the human condition—We are reminded that evil exists, and it runs through the human heart. Violence like this is not of God but reveals the depth of brokenness in our world.
4. Our need for repentance—In Luke 13, when people questioned Jesus about senseless tragedies—the slaughter of innocents and the collapse of a tower—Jesus reframed the question. He did not explain why. Instead, He issued a call to repentance. The message was clear: such events should not lead us to point fingers but to look inward and turn toward God.

Tragedies like this are a summons. They call us to wake up to the realities of sin, brokenness, and the need for transformation—not just in individual hearts but in communities and systems. There is a collective cry for repentance, a turning back to God’s ways of love, justice, and peace.

This is not the time for despair, though the grief is overwhelming. Nor is it the time for passive resignation. It is a time for action, reflection, and renewed dependence on God. After 9/11, churches were filled with people seeking hope and meaning, yet that spiritual hunger faded all too quickly. The challenge for us, as individuals and as the church, is to ensure that this moment of reckoning leads to lasting transformation—not fleeting resolve.
The prophet Joel spoke to a nation in crisis, facing devastation. His message was clear: Return to the Lord. In Joel’s time, the people’s repentance opened the door to renewal, leading to the great promise of the outpouring of God’s Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). It is through repentance and reliance on God that true healing and transformation begin.
So what do we do?
We seek to relieve suffering wherever we can, caring for people and their families with compassion. We participate by using our voice, time, treasures or resources to help alleviate the causes of violence in our society. We pray—not just for comfort and healing but for a deep spirit of repentance that brings about real change. And we look to the Lord, asking Him to send His Holy Spirit to bring renewal, healing, and revival to our broken hearts, our broken communities, and our broken world.
May we not emerge from this tragedy unchanged. May this be the moment when we, as a people, turn fully to God—seeking His peace, justice, and hope for all.

Fear, at its core, is an emotional response to a perceived threat—one that often fills us with unease or anxiety. In the Bible, the word "fear" appears 316 times in the King James Version, a number that immediately reminds us of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This profound connection reveals a powerful truth: even in the midst of fear, God’s love is present and unchanging. The first appearance of fear in Scripture is found in Genesis 3:10 when Adam, after sinning, confesses, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked." Sin led Adam to fear and hide from God, disrupting the intimacy they once shared. This narrative invites us to reflect--How do we respond when God’s word reveals our shortcomings?
In our lives today, the Word of God continues to expose the hidden corners of our hearts. Some, like those in church who feel personally addressed by God’s truth, are moved to repentance and draw closer to Him. Others, however, respond with offense or retreat, their fear causing them to hide. Which do you identify with more? When the Word reveals the truth about your heart, do you seek God in humility, or do you shrink back in fear and self-preservation? Psalm 34:4 reminds us of the path we are called to take: “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” God’s love and deliverance are ever-present for those willing to trust Him with their fears and surrender fully.
Abraham’s journey offers us a great example of faith overcoming fear. Despite moments of faltering faith—such as lying to protect himself—Abraham ultimately trusted God with what was most precious to him: his son, Isaac. His faith was perfected through his willingness to surrender completely to God’s will (James 2:22). We are called to a similar trust. Whether it’s our family, career, or deepest desires, surrendering our anxieties to God allows Him to guard what we entrust to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). Fear doesn’t have to paralyze us; it can propel us into seeking God through prayer, worship, and faithful action. Today, let your fear be a catalyst to trust. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). What is God asking you to surrender today? Take that step of faith, knowing He is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

*This blog was inspired by the conversation and notes led by Luis Chavarria at Men's Life Group on 11/16/2024

I have always loved the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:9-16.  It is a powerful reminder of how faith sustains us in times of deep sorrow and unanswered prayers. Year after year, she carried the burden of childlessness, facing taunts from her rivals and misunderstanding from those around her. Her pain was so intense, her sorrow relentless. Yet, in the midst of her anguish, Hannah chose a path that teaches us how to navigate our own struggles: she poured her heart out before God.
Hannah’s prayer in the temple wasn’t polished or composed. It was raw, honest, and deeply vulnerable. She didn’t explain or justify her pain; she simply brought it to the only One who could truly understand it. Her prayer reminds us that we don’t need to have the right words or the perfect explanation for our suffering. God invites us to come as we are—burdened, broken, and in need of His presence.
What stands out in Hannah’s story is her unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness, even without knowing how her suffering would resolve. Her confidence wasn’t in an immediate answer but in the assurance that God hears and sees her.
​This kind of faith is a challenging for us today, especially when we are tempted to demand quick solutions or clear explanations.

And when God grants her a son (Samuel), Hannah responds not with pride or entitlement but with profound praise:
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“There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)

Hannah’s song of praise reveals her heart—a heart that recognizes God’s sovereignty and goodness, not just in the blessing but in the journey that led to it.

Her story invites us to ask:
How do we respond to the trials in our own lives?
Do we lean into God’s presence, trusting that He hears us even when we don’t have answers?
Are we willing to pour ourselves out before Him in honest prayer?
Will we praise God even when we don’t get what we ask for?

So how we can draw strength from Hannah’s example?
When we face struggles, let us remember that worship and trust are not reserved for moments of success or victory but are vital in the midst of our trials. Hannah shows us that even in our deepest pain, there is a way to respond faithfully: to pour out our souls before God, trusting in His goodness, and lifting our voices in praise for who He is.
May we, like Hannah, find our hope and refuge in the Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.
Let us come together, supporting one another in prayer, and reminding each other of God’s faithfulness through every season of life.

With love,
Pastor Temo Rios