Umpqua Community College. This once small campus is now very well known across the nation. I'm sure we have all heard about the shooting. What do you say? Who do you turn to? As I read the news articles and watch the videos my faith is tested. How could anyone let something like that happen? How could the parents of this young man not see the signs? How could God allow this to happen? Then, I remember some very important things.

1. God has a plan.

Whether we know it or not. I'm not saying it was God's plan to have this horrible situation come about, but maybe he has a plan for the survivors, or the parents, or the victims.

For I know the plans I have for you' declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.

He has a future for you! For you! A perfect future just for you. He knows exactly what your future will be. The plan he set aside is not like any one else. It has its own special qualities. It was designed for you and you alone.

2. He will always.

God is not there just to be there. He is there to create a relationship with you. And in any relationship you must be able to be vulnerable. God is there whenever you need him. He is there to care for you in the midst of your doubts and fears.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17.

The Lord hears you. He hears everything. He hears your cries for your classmates. He hears your hearts breaking as you find out your child was one of the many that were killed. He hears you as you pray for your friend in the hospital trying to hang on. He hears you. And guess what? There is more to that verse. He also delivers you. He takes away that hurt. He relieves you from that pain and heartache. It may not be in a split second, but over time your suffering will be no more.

3. God loves you!

He loves you. With everything he has. God gave his son for you. It is important that you believe that.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

So have faith. Have faith that things will work out for the best. And for those who are hurting about anything, believe that the pain will disappear. I pray for those affected by the Oregon shooting and that they will soon find relief from their grief.