Another Senseless Tragedy...Why?

Why? That is the question that keeps popping up in my mind and I am sure everyone else’s too.

This past Monday another mass shooting occurred right in my own backyard in Boulder. Every mass shooting is a horrific tragedy, but when it hits this close to home it somehow gets magnified one hundred fold. I have been in that King Soopers grocery store many times over the past several months since I have moved to Boulder. I know the layout well.

The image keeps popping up in my mind of having a deranged lunatic pointing a semi-automatic rifle at my face. That’s what many victims faced in their last moments here on earth. I feel their hurt, pain and bewilderment of their final breaths. They just went out to get some groceries for crying out loud and a hero officer who was first on the scene putting his own life on the line to save others.

Prayers For the Victims Families

My heartfelt prayers go out to the families of all of the victims of this senseless tragedy where ten lives were lost. I can only imagine the heartbreak these families are experiencing. How quickly our life can change.

There is evil in this world, but there is so much good. I don’t think we will ever fully understand what motivates someone to randomly kill people. How do we get into the mind of a killer? I am not sure I really even want to.

The question I have been asking is what can I do? What is my part in making this world a better place? I know God is in control even though during these times the mystery of God looms large. Many will question his presence during these senseless acts. But I know God is here. God will help us heal and move forward.

There are Heroes Among Us

Amongst the evil, countless police officers risk their lives day in and day out for people they don’t know. I honor you. We need you. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Amongst the evil I see everyday heroes at King Soopers who bravely endured a horrific scene of violence. Many quickly called 911 and were able to evade the mass shooter.

Amongst the evil I see a community rally around each other in Boulder. I see people praying for one another asking the same question as me, what can I do to help?

This is a senseless act. It’s time to ban semi-automatic weapons. What purpose do they serve? It disgusts me that someone can legally go purchase this weapon and then go use it to destroy innocent lives. It makes me sick to my stomach. It’s a start. It’s not going to solve all of our random violence problems, but we have to start somewhere. This would be a common sense place to start.

Let’s Stop the Violence

Another question I ask myself is why men continually turn to violence and sexual abuse? What needs to change to stop this? It’s happening more and more. It’s time to reverse this trend and do it quickly. I don’t have the answers, but I am praying for guidance and wisdom in this area.

How do we move forward from this horrific tragedy? First, we have to grieve and mourn the precious loss of life. We have to balance being vigilant with our surroundings, but also not live in fear. I know that is easier said than done. I was out for a walk with my dog last night and part of my route goes by a King Soopers in my community. I know I was jumpier than usual. I quickly turned around when I heard random noises. I don’t want to live my life in fear, but I know these violent acts can get buried into our subconscious mind and create fear and keep us from going about our daily lives.

In the midst of this tragedy, in the midst of the evil and darkness we witnessed here on Monday, I am seeing people being the hands and feet of Jesus. There is so much good in our world. I honor each and every victim and their families. They may not be seeing the good right now. I know they are in deep pain and have broken hearts.

My prayer is that they can feel our love and they know we are praying for them. That we mourn together and we will heal together by being love. By showing that evil will never prevail in our world. God is love and so are we. That is our ultimate source of being. Let us never forget that.

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Troy Ismir

Spiritual Warrior Coach

Founder and Creator of Barbells & Brothers