Everyone went about their daily business three days before the attack by terrorists. Then suddenly everything changed. We were at war. Families were destroyed, people were killed. The legal and financial systems of the federal government drastically changed. As an officer in the Air Force, I was sent as a responder to the attack.
When we make plans, we assume that they are solid, meaning that we can fulfill them. However, James 4: 13-15 reminds us that we never know what will happen tomorrow saying that our life is but a vapor. We should always have the attitude that our plans are according to God’s will.
Paul used himself as an example in Philippians 4: 11-14. He shared some of his personal bad experiences that he had to learn what it was to be in any state of life and yet be content. He said he knew how to lack or yet abound; to be full or be hungry, abound and yet to suffer. With these horrible things in his life, he said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” When tragedy strikes, we may suffer but if we reach out to him Christ will strengthen us.
When we are blessed by God, it is not just for us to enjoy that blessing. We are to be a blessing to others as a result. Paul explained in Ephesians 3: 7-12 that God gave him grace so that he might preach the riches of Christ. Most people in America were not directly affected by the terrorist attack on the two towers. Even so, it is our responsibility to share blessings with others; especially the soldiers, to pray and support.
Who knows what personal tragedy will hit any of us. It could be a permanent wound afflicting us. It could be a horrible incident that invades our family. We need to remind ourselves that all the evil in the world falls back on Satan as his responsibility. He is the one who hates us. He is the one who would love to see our lives miserable. Ephesians 6: 12 makes it very plain. We live in a hostile world. The verse says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Don’t ever make the mistake of blaming God for evil!
Lastly, we must guard our thoughts. Should we think of something negative or something that is sinful or something that is anti-God, we must shift our thoughts as it says in Philippians 4: 8, “Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” It is easy to allow bad things to take us into a deep well of depression. The power of that deep will is how we are distracted by the bad things. We must always concentrate on God, his power, and how he will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13: 5)
Christian Writer 