Take a deep breath—seriously. What follows isn’t just troubling—it’s heartbreaking. It’s a mirror held up to our moment.

We’re not just facing numbers—we’re facing stories. Stories of shattered sanctuaries, broken classrooms, and silent suffering. Let’s look honestly at what we’re up against.

Schools Under Siege

• In 2025 alone, there have been between 8 and 146 incidents of gun violence on U.S. school grounds, depending on how it’s defined.
• From 2020 to 2024, the FBI reports over 1.3 million crimes on school property.
• The most common offenses: assault, drug violations, theft, vandalism, weapons charges, and sexual offenses.
• 146 cases of gunfire have occurred this year, with 91 involving actual firearm discharge.

Churches No Longer Safe

• So far in 2025, 11 lives have been lost (including perpetrators) and 30 people injured in church shootings.
• Churches have also faced bomb threats, arson, and IED components—a disturbing rise in targeted violence against faith communities.

Mental Health Snapshot

• 22.8% of U.S. adults (≈57.8 million) live with some form of mental illness.
• 5.5% suffer from serious mental illness that severely impacts daily life.
• 12.5% experience anxiety; 5.0% report symptoms of depression.

Among youth:

• 40% of high school students feel persistently sad or hopeless.
• 20% have seriously considered suicide.

Depression is highest among adolescents (ages 12–19): 19.2% prevalence. Rates are significantly higher among:

First Responders in Silent Crisis

• At least 36 confirmed suicides among first responders in 2025 so far.
• This includes police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers.
• In Harris County, Texas, four deputies died by suicide within a six-week span.

These numbers are more than data points. They represent empty chairs at dinner tables, unanswered texts, and communities left reeling. They reflect a nation in pain—and a desperate need for healing.

I’ve cried for strangers. For children I’ll never meet. For pastors preaching through fear. For parents sending their kids to school with whispered prayers and clenched hearts. This grief is sacred. And it deserves space.

So again I ask: Where is the Light? And maybe more urgently: How do we find it?

For the Faithful

As a Christian, I believe the Light has a name—Jesus. In the midst of chaos, He is the steady flame that doesn’t flicker. The One who walks into our grief, sits with our questions, and offers peace that doesn’t make sense on paper.

Scripture reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). That’s not just poetry—it’s a promise.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be light-bearers—not just in belief, but in action. This is not the time for passive faith or polished platitudes. It’s time to weep. To intercede. To show up. To be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that’s bleeding.

For the Seeking

But I also know not everyone reading this may share that belief. And I want to speak to you, too.

Because whether or not you believe in God, you’ve likely felt the ache. The longing for something good, something steady, something that reminds you that love still matters and people still care. That longing itself is a kind of light. It’s the part of you that refuses to go numb. That still hopes. That still shows up.

So maybe the light is found in how we respond. In how we listen. In how we refuse to let violence have the final word. In how we care for the hurting, speak truth with grace, and choose compassion over apathy.

Whether you call it faith, conscience, or humanity, there is something in us that reaches for the light. And I believe that reaching matters.

We can’t afford to be passive observers anymore. Whether you’re a parent, pastor, teacher, student, or neighbor—this moment calls for presence. For courage. For intentionality.

• Check in with those around you. Ask real questions. Listen without rushing.
• Speak life into dark places. Your words matter more than you know.
• Pray boldly if you’re a person of faith. If not, lean into hope, kindness, and community.
• Support mental health efforts. Advocate. Donate. Volunteer.
• Be the light you’re longing to see.

The world doesn’t need more noise—it needs more healing. And healing begins with connection.

A Coaching Reflection

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, or unsure how to respond, start here:

• What breaks your heart right now?
• Where do you feel called to show up, even in small ways?
• What kind of light do you carry—and how might someone else need it today?

You don’t have to fix everything. But you can be faithful with what’s in front of you. Sometimes the most powerful shift begins with a single conversation, a quiet act of kindness, or a moment of honest prayer.

Thanks for stopping by the fire,

Coach Dennis

P.S. If this message stirred something in you—if you’re longing for clarity, healing, or a way to respond—I invite you to explore Storyboard Coaching. It’s more than coaching—it’s a sacred space to rediscover your story, reclaim your purpose, and walk forward with hope. You don’t have to carry this alone.