Losing a loved one due to an act of violence makes you very aware of how one act of violence affects not only the victim but their family and society at large. The horrible attacks in Brussels are not going to be the end of attacks, you know. We must accept that for awhile …. and not feel defeated but take away some good things from the despicable acts so we help those in need, and make sane observations and changes.
I don’t know about you, but it’s very hard for me to listen to some of the things people are saying in Belgium, Europe to show their anguish. It’s scary to hear leaders say ….. ‘be strong and go on with life’. That’s what you tell your teen in the face of peer pressure. Or after you go thru a health scare. Yes, turning your nose up in the face of mass murder may release some indignation or anxiety for the moment but it’s just a transitory reaction, and doesn’t address the problem …. how do people, governments prevent more atrocities from happening? How do we keep our cities safe yet open?
When my son fell victim to a terrible crime, yes, I had to ‘will’ myself to go on at times. I had to ‘will’ myself to write a blog & attend the Bail Hearing and face the murderer. But I could not have lived with that mentality for too long. I would not have been able to make it without sharing my emotions and needs in a blog or with wonderful people. I would have ‘crashed’ or burned out ifI had to live on adrenalin alone!
This battle against ISIS can’t be fought by our wills or brute force only. God made us with emotions, creative mental skills, souls with values for life. This assault in Brussels isn’t an issue where we stomp our feet at ‘terror’ and demand it go away …. it’s a national issue of life and death! This is a time where many feel vulnerable, hurt, enraged, anxious … we have to choose our words and actions seriously to make the attacks stop.
If I was Belgian and lived in fear of more violence I’d want people to make stronger resolves against the violence …. individually and collectively! Ordinary things can be very powerful. At the lowest level people over there must talk with their loved ones about the types of issues going on in the world having to do with political or religious ideology. Every strong nation and family talks openly about their basic values but with acceptance for the opposition. Children look to their parents to stand up for something worth living and dying for. We need that spirit in this world!
Marc and I made sure to communicate about our values about life, God or current events. But what I think happens to the average person is that we don’t really know what we believe and so we don’t talk with our spouse or kids, but just go down to the corner and buy something good for dinner. And the moment to share has evaporated in order to do homework, or watch a show on TV.
People will tire of flowers, cartoons or emogees after enough of these attacks, the human psyche can only take so much continual hurt or anxiety! This could be the best hour for the church and moral people over there if the church everywhere prays and stands up in word and deed for godly measures in dealing with the militant threats. God gave us minds to think of solutions for our earthly predicaments, He told us to ask for wisdom. He said to pray for peace. I think some of us have to get off our couch, or away from our social media and examine our true values. Defining who we are and what we stand for takes a little time, but …. it has a way of snowballing and bringing about the hope we really want!!
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with my eye.’ Psalm 32:8
Reuters photo –