{"id":1214,"date":"2026-08-08T13:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/?p=1214"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:18:21","slug":"camp-mystic-flood-transform-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/camp-mystic-flood-transform-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Camp Mystic Flood: How to Transform Your Loss into Life-Changing Redemption"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One year after the Camp Mystic flood, the devastating losses of July 4, 2025, still reverberate across Texas and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the gym today, I saw an interview with three dads who lost their daughters in the flood, sharing how and why they maintain their unwavering faith in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-eight people at Camp Mystic died in that flood, including 25 campers, two counselors, and camp director Dick Eastland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across Central Texas, the catastrophic flooding claimed at least 137 lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour at dawn on July 4, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is worse than a 100-year flood event, according to experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 100 billion gallons of rain fell on Kerr County, more than the daily flow of Niagara Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Camp
Cabin where 20 girls went missing on July 5, 2025, in the Guadalupe River flood\/Ronaldo Schemidt\/gettyimages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is it possible to storm-proof<\/a> the future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And later, loss<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some folks say it’s never wise to camp by a river, especially one in the middle of “Flash Flood Alley,” where historic floods in August 1978 and July 1987 caused multiple fatalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I think it’s fair to say there’s no place in the world to camp without risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An old Spanish proverb says, “There is no home which does not at some time know its hush.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three decisive steps may set a healing course for anyone drowning in tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. What the Camp Mystic flood teaches us about foundation<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since any storm can take us out quickly, why not storm-proof your soul?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought my neighborhood in Dallas was safe until an EF-3 tornado came through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday night, October 25, 2019, ten tornadoes plowed through North Texas, flattening houses, buildings, and shopping centers in minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody died. But many sat roofless for a year or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between the wise and foolish is not luck or location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not a physical foundation, but a spiritual foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governor Abbott noted that Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience, and that in times of loss, people turn to God for comfort, healing, and strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He encouraged Texans to join him in prayer on Sunday, July 6th, for various needs related to the flooding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. <\/strong>Prayer withstands loss<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Abbott also said, “Prayer works,” and expressed hope that God would provide comfort and strength to those affected and to the first responders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
\u2014 Ps 40:1-3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bono of U2 made a song called “40” out of these verses and closes concerts with it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Taylor interviewed Bono and asked him what he learned about God in the middle of loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He listens,” replied Bono.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he asked him what one thing he had learned about himself from his life’s losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I don’t listen enough.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taylor asks Bono<\/a> one more question. “What is one difficult thing that God requires?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Honesty,” the singer replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being honest about your loss, pain, anger, and disappointment can open a channel of wisdom, insight, and communication with God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know. I have suffered many losses and much pain, which is why I write about the hope and recovery I have discovered in this blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Simplicity overcomes loss<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Significant physical, emotional, or financial losses deliver crushing disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they can also introduce healing changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of those changes is simplicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older I get, the more dignity, elegance, and power I see in simplicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am discovering that truly deep folks have the genius of being simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simplicity doesn’t mean easy solutions or easy to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple means there are no hidden or double meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Land safely<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your storm is at the moment, tap into the highest power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails\u2014given by one shepherd.”
\u2014 Ecc 12:11<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Land safely in three steps…<\/p>\n\n\n\n