News reports have streamed steadily of yet another school shooting, this time in Florida. We have heard it all before to the point of becoming emotionally numb. Our desensitization may be a sign of callousness, or it may be our own defense mechanism because the pain of processing all of it. We must resist the tendency to ignore the situation we find ourselves in. The people who lost their lives in Florida were teachers, family members, and friends. Each of them have names and life stories. 

I have seen many responses on social media and in the news, posturing about gun rights, whose fault it is, what must be done, and so forth. These are important issues that need to be addressed swiftly, strongly, and wisely. My thoughts the past few days have been focused on mourning what we have become as a nation. As I write this, my three children who are in high school, are sitting in darkened classrooms on lockdown because of another threat. The stress of the ongoing circumstances is unsettling.

I mourn a culture that devalues life. I mourn a culture that is so calloused it cannot even feel and process major tragedies. I mourn a culture where families are broken and scattered. I mourn a culture where mental illness runs rampant and little is done to help. I mourn a culture with record high drug usage and overdose rates. I mourn a culture where evil relentlessly presses against good. I mourn a culture that denies God and mocks the idea of faith.

God is our hope and our help. God is the answer for valuing life. God is the answer for being able to feel compassion. God is the answer for restoring broken and scattered families. God is the answer for healing the hurting. God is the answer for sobriety and clear thinking. God is the answer for victory over evil.

God help us. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Let us find our hope and help in Him and lead others to do the same. We live in a sin fallen world and Jesus is the Victorious Savior. Look to him and live. 1 John 5:4-5 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.