The Tragedy in Midland Shook Me—But What HaShem Showed Me in the Midst of the Darkness Changed Everything
Opening
I stared at the news in silence.
Another community shattered.
Another ordinary morning transformed into a nightmare.
As reports emerged from Midland, Texas, describing an active shooter situation that left multiple victims wounded and lives forever changed, my heart sank. According to officials, at least eleven victims were reported, at least one person lost their life, and the suspected shooter later died following a standoff with law enforcement.
My first reaction was not theological.
It was human.
I felt grief.
I felt anger.
I felt confusion.
And if I am honest, I asked a question that many believers quietly ask when tragedy strikes:
"HaShem, where are You when innocent people suffer?"
Perhaps you have asked that same question.
Maybe not because of a shooting.
Maybe because of a diagnosis.
A broken marriage.
Financial hardship.
A prodigal child.
A betrayal you never saw coming.
Sometimes life feels like a storm that arrives without warning.
And when it does, our faith is tested in ways we never expected.
Introduction
One of the hardest realities of living in a fallen world is accepting that terrible things happen.
The Torah never promises that evil will never exist.
The Prophets never suggest that righteous people will never face suffering.
Even Yeshua warned that difficult days would come.
Yet throughout Scripture, one truth remains constant:
HaShem does not abandon His people in the darkness.
As I reflected on the tragedy in Midland, I found myself returning again and again to that truth.
Not because it removes the pain.
Not because it answers every question.
But because it anchors my soul when answers seem impossible to find.
A Personal Reflection: When Fear Knocked on My Door
Years ago, I experienced a season when fear seemed to dominate every thought.
Every headline felt overwhelming.
Every tragedy felt personal.
Every uncertainty became another reason to worry.
I found myself constantly asking:
- What if something happens to my family?
- What if the world keeps getting worse?
- What if evil wins?
The more I focused on the darkness, the darker everything appeared.
Then one morning I came across a passage that stopped me in my tracks.
Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Not a future help.
Not an occasional help.
A present help.
In that moment, I realized something profound.
HaShem was not waiting on the other side of the storm.
He was already standing with me in the middle of it.
That realization changed the way I viewed every crisis afterward.
Biblical Insight: What Does Scripture Teach During Times of Tragedy?
1. Evil Is Real
The Bible never minimizes evil.
From the violence before the flood in Genesis to the warnings of the Prophets, Scripture acknowledges humanity's capacity for destruction.
Yet HaShem never loses control of history.
Genesis 50:20
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Joseph did not deny the evil committed against him.
He simply recognized that HaShem's purposes were greater than the evil surrounding him.
That perspective continues to sustain me today.
2. HaShem Is Near the Brokenhearted
When tragedy strikes, many people wonder if HaShem has stepped away.
The opposite is true.
Psalm 34:18
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."
Notice what the verse does not say.
It does not say HaShem is only near when life is easy.
It says He is near when hearts are broken.
That means He is near to grieving families.
Near to frightened communities.
Near to those sitting in hospital rooms.
Near to those who cannot stop crying.
3. Yeshua Invites the Weary to Come Close
When fear overwhelms me, I often remember these words of Yeshua.
Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Not explanations.
Not necessarily immediate answers.
But rest.
Sometimes the greatest miracle is finding peace while questions remain unanswered.
The Lesson I Keep Learning
After every tragedy, I notice two possible responses.
One response says:
"Everything is hopeless."
The other says:
"HaShem is still working, even when I cannot see it."
The first response leads to despair.
The second leads to faith.
Faith does not deny reality.
Faith faces reality while refusing to surrender hope.
That distinction matters.
Because hope is not pretending things are okay.
Hope is trusting HaShem when they are not.
Practical Application: How Do We Respond When Darkness Seems Everywhere?
Here are practical steps that have helped me.
Pray Before You Panic
When breaking news appears, fear often arrives first.
Before scrolling endlessly, pause.
Pray.
Invite the Ruach HaKodesh to guard your heart and mind.
Intercede for Victims and Families
Prayer is not a passive response.
It is a powerful act of spiritual participation.
Pray for:
- Victims
- Families
- Medical teams
- First responders
- Law enforcement
- Community leaders
- Congregations ministering to the hurting
Guard Your Heart
Constant exposure to traumatic news can exhaust the soul.
Yeshua said:
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you."
Sometimes guarding our peace requires stepping away from the endless news cycle and spending time in prayer, worship, and Scripture.
Become a Source of Shalom
Darkness spreads quickly.
So does light.
Ask yourself:
- Who needs encouragement today?
- Who needs a phone call?
- Who needs prayer?
- Who needs practical help?
One act of compassion can become a testimony of HaShem's love.
Key Takeaways
- Tragedy reminds us that evil is real, but it does not have the final word.
- HaShem remains near to the brokenhearted.
- Yeshua invites weary hearts to find rest in Him.
- Fear grows when we focus only on darkness.
- Hope grows when we focus on the faithfulness of HaShem.
- Prayer is a meaningful response to suffering.
- Believers are called to bring light into dark places.
- Shalom can exist even in the midst of uncertainty.
Reflection Questions
- How do I typically respond when tragic news breaks?
- Am I feeding fear or feeding faith?
- What promises of Scripture help anchor me during uncertain times?
- How can I become a source of comfort to others who are hurting?
- Where do I need to trust HaShem more deeply today?
Encouraging Conclusion
As I think about Midland, Texas, my heart aches for every family affected.
I cannot explain every tragedy.
I cannot answer every difficult question.
But I know this:
HaShem remains on His throne.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has not abandoned His people.
The light still shines in the darkness.
The promises of Elohim still stand.
And Yeshua is still calling weary hearts to Himself.
If you are struggling today, do not carry the weight alone.
Cry out to HaShem.
Open the Scriptures.
Pray honestly.
Let the Ruach HaKodesh minister to your heart.
Even when the world feels unstable, the faithfulness of Adonai remains unshaken.
And that truth has carried me through some of my darkest moments.
I believe it can carry you through yours as well.
Closing Prayer
Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and our King,
We lift before You every victim, every family, every first responder, and every community member affected by the tragedy in Midland, Texas.
Comfort those who mourn.
Strengthen those who are injured.
Give wisdom to leaders and investigators.
Surround the grieving with Your presence and Your peace.
Guard our hearts from fear and despair.
Help us trust You when we do not understand.
Fill us with the Ruach HaKodesh and make us instruments of Your shalom in a hurting world.
Cover Your people with protection, mercy, and hope.
May the light of Yeshua shine brightly in the darkness and lead many hearts closer to You.
In the name of Yeshua our Messiah,
Amen.
Reference:
https://abc7.com/post/active-shooter-situation-reported-midland-texas-sheriff/19282326/
