How can I respond to terrorism?

How can I respond to

Terrorism?

Europe Edition

It happened . . . again

truck driven into a crowd. A bomb at a pop concert. A knife attack in a government building. Again and again and again. No matter what the beliefs or reasons, terrorist groups are trying to actively spread their terror across the whole world with disgusting acts of violence, chaos and murder. These horror stories and their heart-breaking results come up in the news and on our social media all the time. Striking fear into people seems to be the terrorists’ twisted aim. And how much more real and frightening it all becomes when these attacks happen closer to home. It feels as if none of us are completely safe from terrorism’s threat or effect. It isn’t just ‘out there’ somewhere; it’s a disturbing, ugly danger that seems to loom over each one of us.

I experienced the horror of terrorism in my own part of the world. Picture the scene: the devastated marketplace, the damaged truck, crying people, the needless loss of life. In the heart of Berlin, one terrorist had one aim—to kill and maim as many people as possible. Of course this event was widely reported on. One national newspaper showed a montage of the market, the damaged truck and the many weeping people afterwards. In the largest letters possible a single word was written: “Angst”—the German for fear. Another newspaper, this time from Berlin itself, showed a photo of the Brandenburg Gate by night, bathed in the colours of the German flag. Written beneath that image was a simple statement that I have often come across in the Bible: “Fear not.” The same event. Two very different responses. It made me think about my own response to terrorism. How should I as a believer in Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace and Lord of lords, respond to terrorism? As I reflected on that question, I quickly realised there is no easy answer. It brought a tear to my eye as I thought about the many traumatised people who were there, and the many more whose lives were changed forever, directly and indirectly, by the tragedy. I applaud the Berlin newspaper for their response on their front page. “Fear not” are words of comfort. But at the same time, simply to say “Fear not” isn’t enough. As I talked to my visibly shaken ten year old, who was too afraid to go to sleep, it was quite obvious [2] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

that simply telling him to “Fear not” wasn’t helpful. In the light of the ongoing attacks and threat, this statement may not hold much weight for any of us either. After a recent bomb attack, one person said the affected city would “pull together”, adding: “That’s what we are. That’s what we do. [Terrorism] won’t win.” Showing this support and unity after such attacks is important. But with each act of terrorism, the uncertainty and fear will still rise for all of us. How are we meant to live in a world that is constantly under threat? How are we meant to respond to the unhinged terror that knows no bounds—killing innocent people, and even young children, in its attacks? I needed to turn to God’s Word and find out what reason God gives us to “Fear not” in the face of such pain and terror.

IT HAPPENED . . . AGAIN [3]

Responding to terror

find myself not wanting to admit it, but while we are in this world, we will sometimes be afraid. Surrounded by stories of terrorism, this seems all too obvious. When thinking about how I should respond to this terror, I’ve found myself reflecting on Jesus’ words to His disciples just before they were about to go through their own terrifying ordeal: In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. —John 16:33

Within a few hours He was going to be betrayed, taken Jesus from them and executed on promised the cross. His message to them peace and for that time was: “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” His ultimate Jesus didn’t promise to take victory over away the challenge the disciples were about to face. Nor did He this world. promise to take away the cause of their fear. What He promised was peace and His ultimate victory over this world. Here’s how I think those two things can also help us respond to today’s terror: [4] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

Having peace: Terror attacks are enough to prove that we don’t live in a world of peace. But Jesus wasn’t talking about earthly peace to His disciples. Instead He wanted them (and us) to understand they had an even more important peace in their lives: peace with God. Jesus explained this during the last supper: The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14:26-27 The best expression of the peace God gives us is shown in His Holy Spirit. God lives in us—we are one with Him! We are always in His presence and at the forefront of Jesus wanted His mind. There is nowhere we can go that God won’t be right them (and us) there with us. God’s favour to understand and faithfulness to each of us individually is the best reason they had an to “Fear not”. even more Jesus’ peace isn’t like the important peace the world gives. It is not temporary or dependent peace in their on the circumstances we’re lives: peace in. This peace doesn’t come from strength of character with God. or through positive thinking.

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Instead it is based in the unchanging love of our God lives in us heavenly Father who makes us His own precious children —we are one through Jesus Christ. No with Him! We matter what terrors may are always in His come, this peace means we can bring all our troubles to presence and God, who promises He will at the forefront strengthen and guard our hearts and minds (PHIL. 4:6-7). of His mind. Resting in victory: When Jesus was arrested, the disciples must have felt like “Take heart” was an impossible message to be left with. But as we know, three days later Jesus walked out of the grave having defeated sin and death. There is nothing left that can separate us from God. Jesus taught His followers: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. —Matthew 10:29-31 When I feel like I am left at the mercy of this world’s uncertainties and terrors, Jesus’ words remind me that God is still in full control and our lives have great value to Him. We are His, and He will guide and sustain us. But even if the worst should happen— including our own deaths—we do not need to fear, [6] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

because it is Jesus who has the final say. He gives us the promise of being with Him when we die: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. —John 14:1-3 This incredible promise He gives is very personal— He will come and get each one of us because He wants us to be with him forever. His victory over sin and death, and His promises to us, are things we can rest in even today. We can enjoy this daily and personal relationship with Him, knowing that it will continue forever!

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Living amidst terror

have been writing this in the first person intentionally. In a sense, these thoughts are a very personal dialogue with myself. In these uncertain times, I need to have an answer about how to respond to terrorism—not least for my own peace of mind. Hopefully these thoughts are also personally speaking to your heart as well. We need to take the time to come to terms with the fears that terrorism brings to all of us, and to think about the ways we should live in a world that knows the harsh realities of terror. The command Being open: This may sound like quite an odd place to love to start. But I don’t mean outsiders, or we should just be nice and hospitable to our friends welcome and family. I mean that in those who are a world which often picks different to us, sides and points the finger of blame, we should be prepared runs throughout to welcome anyone we the Bible. encounter. The command to love outsiders, or welcome those who are different to us, runs throughout the Bible. One key example is how [8] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

God instructed His people to treat the foreigners who lived amongst them: “You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (DEUT. 10:19). Loving and welcoming those who are different or ‘foreign’ to us in any way means that we can’t slink away in fear or shut ourselves off from this world of trauma. We need to be visible! Many people see the attacks and hatred round the world and ask: “Where’s the hope for us? Where is this going to end? Where is God?” If we hide ourselves away in fear, who will share the love and victory that Jesus offers? We too are called to pass on His message: “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” Are we willing to open our Are we willing lives to those God puts on our path? Are we willing to share to share God’s God’s love with anyone, even if love with they unnerve or frighten us? Or, anyone, even as we hear more terror reports, is our instinctive reaction to if they unnerve shrink back in fear, hiding our or frighten us? peace with God that the world desperately needs to see? Having the right fear: As confusing as it may sound, we can hold our fear of terror in check as we keep our ‘fear’ of God at the forefront of our minds. But these two fears are very different. We fear terrorism because it scares us—we don’t know what it might do to harm us or those we love. Our fear of God,

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however, is not about being scared of Him, but about being in awe of who He is. When Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the kingdom of God, He told them: Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. —Matthew 10:28 NKJV God doesn’t want us to be scared of Him, but neither does He want us to be flippant about Him. He wants us to revere (or “fear”) Him with awe. This awe comes from knowing that God is powerful beyond our imagination! He is indeed the Lord of the universe, the Creator of everything, the only true strength and power in this world. He is able to destroy terrorism, and every flawed person, in a moment. Our fear of Yet He doesn’t; He chooses to God, however, love us, having sacrificed His is not about own Son to save us. Fearing God is knowing that the allbeing scared of powerful Lord of the universe Him, but about says we can call Him “Abba, Father” (ROM. 8:15) or, in other being in awe of words, “Daddy”. That truth who His is. should bring us to our knees in thanks and praise. This awe of the God who loves us can put the terrors of this world in their place. As we draw near to Him, fear of this temporary world has no chance. [10] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

Remembering that God is the mightiest Person in our lives, and that He has made us His own possession, can allow us to know peace, even in places of fear. I don’t think we will ever be able to keep every fearful thought away—that would deny our humanity. But we can choose what we dwell on: our fears in this world or our awe of our holy, perfect God who has made Himself our Father. Meeting the need: Some time ago, I got in contact with Asif, a twenty-six year old pastor living in a part of the world which is hostile to Christianity. Asif spent his life helping anyone in need, collecting food and clothing and sharing God’s love in any way he could. Knowing where he was living, I asked him if he was safe. His answer was: “No. Not at all. But the people around me need God’s love.” Some months ago he asked for prayer because someone was threatening to kill him. Not long after that, I got word that he was in hospital with stomach problems. Two days later he was dead; most likely poisoned because of his love for Jesus. Asif was not afraid to die as long as he was faithful to serve the Lord he loved. It is an attitude that I have often seen in people who work in places hostile to Christianity. People like Asif truly understand what it means to “give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord” (1. COR. 15:58). The essence of this work is echoed in Asif’s words: “The people around me need God’s love.” To be people of God in this broken world is to actively seek to meet the needs of those around us (JAS. 2:14-17), as

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well as explaining what Christ has done for us. We are to continue Jesus’ rescue mission for hurting, helpless and hopeless people, showing them that the place of safety they seek is Jesus Himself. As people who were without hope before we knew Jesus, our first concern should be to make our hope known. We also need to grasp the fullest extent of Jesus’ rescue mission. The message that Jesus has died once for all sin (HEB. 7:27; 9:12) should We are to to “the ends of the continue Jesus’ travel earth” (ACTS 1:8). Everyone rescue mission can be forgiven by Him and receive new life with for hurting, God. That includes both the helpless and people traumatised by terror hopeless people, and those who inflict it. Even those who would drive showing them trucks into marketplaces that the place of or set off bombs at pop concerts are invited to be safety they seek transformed by Jesus and is Jesus Himself rest in His peace. That is the true extent of God’s incredible love. We may or may not live in a directly hostile environment like Asif did, but our response should be the same: “The people around me need God’s love.” Even if our community is not being rocked by terror attacks, it certainly knows about them and needs to [12] HOW CAN I RESPOND TO TERRORISM?

hear that God’s love can transform even the most broken life. Jesus has truly overcome the hatred and evil of the world: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. —Colossians 1:19-20 (emphasis added) Praying for those who inflict terror: We might feel very uncomfortable that even terrorists can be forgiven by Jesus. It’s a challenging yet awe-inspiring fact of God’s grace. And it goes hand in hand with Jesus’ command about how we should respond to our enemies: You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. —Matthew 5:43-44

Our instinct, when these terrible things happen around the world (and especially when they happen nearer to home), is to draw closer in with those we know, in fear of those we don’t. But Jesus tells us we are to do more than just love those we know (our “neighbour”); we are to actively love those we would consider enemies—by praying for them. If we struggle with the idea that those responsible for terror attacks can receive God’s forgiveness, praying for them is a crucial way our perspective

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will be transformed. When we purposefully ask God to bring But I tell you, terrorists into His kingdom, He love your can help us change from being people of fear, and even hate, enemies and into those who have a genuine, pray for those God-centred compassion for anyone who is spiritually lost, who persecute even if they are full of violence. you. Praying will change terrorists, in our minds, from Matthew 5:44 being monsters, to being real (emphasis added) people in terrible danger of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgement. After all, they need the kind of radical rescue only God can offer.

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“Fear not”

“F

ear not.” Whereas that Berlin newspaper I read simply repeated this response, the Bible gives us great reasons why we need not be frightened. The commands “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid” are repeated often in the Bible—and are usually accompanied with great hope. One example that springs to my mind is Elisha strengthening his frightened servant when an enemy army surrounded the city gates: “Don’t be afraid . . . Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 KINGS 6:16, emphasis added). Elisha saw how much bigger and stronger the ‘invisible’ heavenly army of God was! And on another occasion, King David instructed his son Solomon with the daunting task of building the temple, saying: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 CHRON. 28:20, emphasis added). These verses remind me that no matter what our challenges or fears, God is present with us and nothing can disrupt His plans. “Fear not.” Perhaps that is exactly the right response to terror we as Christians need to have and to show. It’s not necessarily an easy approach to take; after all there are lots of things to be afraid of.

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But we can know that there is nothing greater than our God. And He does not look at this world with disgust for its violence, but with great compassion. We can respond to terror without fear because we have great reason not to be afraid: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (ISA. 43:1). We belong to God, not to the terrors of this world. As we grieve with anyone whose life has been torn apart by terrorism and as we step forward aware that there will be more unprovoked, unpredicted attacks to come, our certainty is in the One who has overcome this world. Let us share His love and comfort with those who are hurting and confused. We may not be able to answer all their questions about why these attacks happen—but we can invite them into God’s eternal family where there is real peace and hope for today and forever. They need to know why we can react to the fear of terrorism with confident hope. And they need to know they are not alone. We can show them (from our own experience and from the Bible) that God loves them deeply and stands ready to carry them through even the worst of days. If you found this helpful, you can read Welcoming the Stranger, and browse our other booklets like this, online at ourdailybread.org/lookingdeeper