Holding onto Hope – after the Texas Flash Flood

“Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright.” (Psalm 112:4)

            This is my prayer of hope for all those who recently lost loved-ones in Texas from the Independence Day weekend flash floods.  Our hearts, our tears, and our prayers join in empathy and solidarity with every family impacted.  The loss of life – including many children, campers, and counselors – and the magnitude of the catastrophe is truly incomprehensible.  Without God’s grace and comfort, where else would we turn?  As Simon Peter replied to Jesus, “Lord, to whom would we go?  You have the words that give eternal life.  We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

God bless all the first responders on the ground helping the grueling rescue and relief efforts.  As one commented, “We recognize God has us in the palm of His hand, and we are so blessed.  We count those blessings at night knowing that so many people have lost everything.” (Salvation Army Maj. Phil Swyers 7/8/2025)

Even amid the dreadful loss of life (well over 100+ people at last count, plus over 100+ still missing) and the overwhelming devastation, the light of God’s hope still “dawns for the upright.”  That hope can only be “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)  We grieve intensely, but we grieve with hope – because our Redeemer lives.  So, never lose heart.  Although the darkness of night may have inundated you, a bright morning sunrise still eventually awaits you – by the grace of Almighty God.  How?  When?  Only God knows.  Only God can.

Perhaps you can especially relate to this Scripture verse right now: “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.  I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.  Yet I still dare to hope…”   (Lamentations 3:19-21)  We struggle to even attempt to attach words to a tragedy of this magnitude.  Our minds simply cannot make sense of it.  So, in order to “still dare to hope” at a time like this requires immense – yet very simple – faith.  It contradicts our human nature.  It is radically counter-cultural.  Yet, it is absolutely vital to help navigate these turbulent waters of grief.  We need hope to cope.

Hope is not merely ‘optimistic, wishful thinking’, but rather expectant anticipation of God’s divine intervention.  That is why “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) 

As difficult as the concept of an ‘authentic’ hope may be to wrap our minds around at such a time as this, I know firsthand this genuine godly hope to be so tangibly true.  Following the aftermath and carnage of the 2003 Kansas flash floods over Labor Day weekend when my entire family drowned after nearly a foot of rain swelled Jacob’s Creek – flooding the Turnpike in the Flint Hills, I too had to walk a very similar path of shock, trauma, and grief as the sole survivor.  Much like Apostle Peter, when people asked whether I might forego my faith and walk away from God, I emphatically declared, “to whom would [I] go?  You have the words that give eternal life.  [I] believe.” (John 6:68-69) 

I believe the Bible.  This is our Christian faith.  It is so simple – yet so very profound.  Even amid unspeakable tragedy, we simply take God at His Word and trust the very words of Christ when He said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

            Someone recently asked me how my faith survived during the darkest time of my life, and how I never walked away from Jesus – even during and after my family’s flash flood tragedy.  Very simply, it was a choice to keep walking in absolute faith – taking God at His Word – as if God was telling the truth – because He is!  God cannot lie.  His Word is always true.  I intentionally “set my face like flint” (Isaiah 50:7) and boldly declared as King David, “I will keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8)  I kept my eyes fixated on the promises of God and on the eternal hope of Heaven.  “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

I may have been inundated by tragedy, but I was not devastated.  I chose not to remain stuck in my scars or paralyzed by my pain, but rather proceeded by faith – one excruciating, tearful step at a time.  I clung to countless passages of Scripture such as, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)  These verses encouraged me to fortify my faith further, to not give in, not give out, and not give up. 

Rather than give up, I chose to look up.  I kept my gaze firmly fixed upon the Lord, much like the timeless hymn states, “…whatever befall, Be Thou My Vision – O Ruler of all.”  In other words, no matter what happens, God is still my guide, He is still sovereign, and He still rules – even over a flood.  “The Lord rules over the floodwaters.  The Lord reigns as king forever.” (Psalm 29:10)  God still lovingly holds me in the palm of His mighty hand, even when life takes me “through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

            The full spectrum of emotions encapsulated in the Psalms still comfort me immensely, particularly this hopeful passage: “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.” (Psalm 71:20-21)  This is an encouraging promise of God’s comfort and redemption from earthly suffering, that God will not waste anything.  He is perfectly efficient.  The Lord is a God of restoration – in His way and in His timing.  Everything that happens to us in life may not be good, but God can somehow bring good out of everything that happens to us in life.  “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

            So, my prayer for you and all of those grieving the loss of loved-ones is, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope…” (Romans 15:13)  Amen.  Amen, indeed.  Let God’s divine hope rise up within you – and then spill over onto others.  We all need it, especially now.

If I can help serve in Texas in the coming weeks and months in any way, please forward my contact information on to survivors, families, or churches.  I would be honored to help in any way possible – in person, or by sending some complementary books and materials.