Tragedy in a Texas Christian Camp: Where is God?

How do you explain it when a place devoted to God—where young girls gather to grow in faith, sing worship songs, and study the Bible—is suddenly struck by tragedy?

How do you make sense of the news that at least 27 girls and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian camp nestled along the Guadalupe River in Texas, were swept away by a deadly flood? How do you reconcile such loss with the image of a loving, sovereign God?

These are hard questions. And they don’t come with easy answers.

In times like this, we find ourselves echoing the ancient cries of Job, David, and even Yahshua on the cross: “My God, why?”

But here’s what we must remember—God never promised that following Him would exempt us from suffering. What He promised is something far deeper, far stronger, and far more enduring: His presence in the storm.

Why Does God Allow Tragedy, Even in a Christian Camp?

From a human perspective, this seems unjust. Why would a good God allow innocent lives—young lives, devoted to Him—to be taken in such a horrific way?

But we must understand this: we live in a broken world.

Since the fall of man, creation has groaned (Romans 8:22). The flood that tore through Camp Mystic wasn’t a sign of God’s absence—it was a result of a world still under the curse of sin, longing for full redemption.

God is not indifferent to this tragedy. He weeps with us. Yahshua Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus, even though He knew resurrection was coming. God is not blind to our suffering—He enters into it with us.

What Does This Mean for Our Faith?

It’s easy to praise God when the river is calm. But what about when the waters rise without warning?

This is where true faith is tested—not in the comfort of worship halls or the beauty of lakeside devotionals—but in the mud-soaked cabins, the shattered kayaks in trees, and the cries for help in the darkness.

And yet, even here, hope flickers.

In the stories of heroic counselors, children praying in hysteria, and girls swimming through neck-high waters in the dark—we see the resilience of faith. We see love in action. We see lives that, even in their final moments, were wrapped in prayers and the promises of God.

How Should We Respond?

1. We mourn. It is not unspiritual to grieve. In fact, it is deeply Christian to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). Let us not suppress our sorrow, but bring it before God.

2. We remember who God is. He is not the author of evil, but He is the Redeemer of all things. What Satan intends for destruction, God can transform for good (Genesis 50:20).

3. We look to eternity. This world is not our home. Those precious girls and counselors who died will be resurrected in the future and will live in a perfect world, where God’s Kingdom reigns.

4. We live and love with urgency. As Stella, one of the young survivors, recalled the poem from camp:

“The love in your heart was not put there to stay.
Love is not love until you give it away.”

These words ring louder now than ever. Tragedy has a way of sharpening our focus on what truly matters. We are reminded that every day is a gift, every breath a mercy, and every opportunity to love should not be wasted.

Final Thoughts

In the aftermath of this devastating flood, many will question God. Some may walk away from Him. But others—those whose roots are deep—will cling to Him all the more.

Because the truth is, faith is not about avoiding the storm. It’s about knowing who holds you through it.

Let us honor the lives lost not by turning from God, but by turning toward Him—trusting that though the river may rise, His love remains higher still.

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