Perhaps the most shocking thing about another school shooting is that we're not so shocked any more.
This is the world we live in. Try to make sense of. Weep over. Pray for.
Over and over people in the media and Experts of all kinds tell us that whoever the current perpetrator happens to be is "disturbed."
Why? Blame it on any of these: "Has a record of being in trouble." "Came from a dysfunctional home." "Grew up without a father." "Had physical or mental challenges." "Lived in poverty." "Had alcoholic parents." "Lacked good role models." "Fell through the cracks."
Take your pick.
Looking deeper
Name any underlying cause you choose, whether on that list or not. All are disadvantages, not justification for violent behavior.
Otherwise, countless individuals over the centuries could not have survived such circumstances and yet gone on to achieve, sometimes notably.
If all that mattered were the trappings of one's growing-up years, then every child of wealthy and famous parents--the more, the better--would be perfectly adjusted and living a life to be admired.
News accounts and celebrity mags provide endless evidence this is not so.
How do we find our way?
First we face the anguishing reality of life: The list of things we have control over is quite small.
For example, this latest shooting took place in Parkland, FL, a high-income community considered by residents to be safe and therefore, secure.
Obviously not. It's not the neighborhood. It's not how large our income. It's not being able to give our kids "all the advantages."
Rather, security flows out of knowing:
- Who/what we believe in
- Where we--and our children--can turn for reassurance
- The foundation we are building our lives on is unshakable
Security rests on what's within us, not on what's around us.
Oh, come on, that's too simplistic
If you doubt that, read a few biographies of individuals who overcame big odds.
I met one of those over-comers when he spoke at a business meeting. At the time he was "just" a surgeon known for separating conjoined twins. Since then he retired and now Dr. Ben Carson has been appointed secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
That's quite a long journey from growing up in a single-parent family, living in a public housing project for years and playing with rocks found along the railroad tracks as he walked to school.
What brought him through all that? He credits what he learned from his mom, who always left home before he got up and often came home after dark because she worked two jobs.
(You can read their story here:) http://awomansview.typepad.com/a_womans_view/2017/03/take-heart-mom-you-are-your-childs-biggest-advantage-in-life.html
Shoring up our inner defenses
It starts with taking charge of what we feed our minds and therefore, what we give out to our families.
If healthy food builds healthy bodies--and it does--then focusing on Jesus and His love for us, His strength within us, will build strength within us and our children.
In time of crisis what's inside us is what inevitably will come out of us.
If we feed ourselves--and our loved ones--fear, it will be fear.
If we feed ourselves--and our loved ones--talk of God's strength within us, what comes out of us will be courage and peace.
Put the good stuff in
We're never too old or too young to grow in faith. Even small children easily learn "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so," especially if we sing it with them.
Talking to Jesus is natural for young children and they love knowing they can pray in any scary situation, "Jesus, help me!"
Kids equipped with these plain truths from early on know that someone loves them, no matter what. They know they're not alone.
Does that make trouble and danger go away? Maybe not. But it does reassure youngsters (and adults, too,) that they're not alone and forsaken.
When life bumps us around we draw on our reserves
If we're to have a store of courage and strength to draw on we need to regularly deposit Truth into our memory banks. Truths from God's written word, the Bible, like these favorite verses.
- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. --Psalm 46:1
- Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10
- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9
These three are just for starters. You'll find many more as you read your Bible. Underline the verses that speak to your heart. Memorize them or list them on your SmartPhone. Find your way to be able to find them quickly.
The bottom line: How shall we live without fear?
As usual, we get to choose. We can watch the news and look around and live in fear.
OR we can live by faith in the Lord of heaven and earth and we can teach our children the truths of Scripture.
Like taking the right turn at a crossroads, that makes all the difference.
So let's speak faith, not fear. Let's live with courage, trusting God all the way,
Lenore
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