In Search of a Safe Place

Last week was a rough one. The international news brought us pictures of the terror, devastation, and carnage of war. The national news was no different. Our hearts were torn by the stories and pictures of little children’s lives cut short, and devastated parents and neighbors weeping in disbelief at the inhumanity of man. Will this week hold the same we wonder? Will this carnage and inhumanity touch us personally this week?

I want to believe that this will be a better week. I want to believe that, because to believe otherwise is to enter a dark world of despair and hopelessness.

The Bible states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7.

Is such a text meaningless idealism, and the people who quote it insincere or clueless? Is it really possible to have peace and positivity when people are hurting, and devastation swirls around us? Is the text telling us to close our eyes and move on pretending that all is well within our bubble? I don’t think so. So what can we take from it?

It states that, at our request, God will “guard your hearts and minds”. What does that mean? How does that work? We cannot live as if all is well with the world, but neither can we allow the constant bombarding of pain to bring us to a place of callous inaction or overwhelming despair. God’s word and his Holy Spirit have promised to give us a safe, healthy lens through which to view the happenings in our world. If we ask, He will guard our hearts from becoming hardened by the pain so that we respond with soft caring hearts to help those who are suffering. He has promised to guard our minds so that even as we face the evil of our world we will not allow it to replace thoughts of hope and action with despair and helplessness.

Let us ask God to provide us with the will, the ability, and the wisdom we need to make our corner of the world a place of light, joy and optimism. Let us ask for practical ways that we can relieve the suffering and unhappiness of those around us. Let us request a supply of the right words for people experiencing despair of depression.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:12-14.