Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
Bob Reccord, President, Hope for the Heart, Offers a Word of Hope in Response to Charleston, S.C. Tragedy:
“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us with a blow? Never! If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and its finisher. As a nation of free men we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
Powerful words for a national crisis, don’t you think? You’re probably feeling they are so appropriate for where our nation is in view of Charleston … or Baltimore … or Ferguson … or the foreign threat of Al Qaeda or ISIS … or any of the other tragedies we have experienced in the past several months and years.
But those words were not spoken in response to any of these recent heartaches. They are the words of President Abraham Lincoln in 1838. Tragedy, racial tension, death, violence … they’re not new to our generation. These words have been with us for generations – even before the birth of this nation.
But what President Lincoln brings back to the forefront for all of us is the reminder that our greatest challenge is not from some external danger, as severe and threatening as those may be. Our greatest challenge is from enemies much closer, within our own deceitful hearts … where 43% of kids in America are being raised without a dad … where there have been more than 56 million abortions since Roe vs. Wade … where our nation’s constant striving is to be politically correct rather than righteous … and where laws and processes allow for increasing numbers to lapse into victimization rather than rise to responsible citizenship.
The first responders of Charleston were outstanding in their rapid and skillful reaction to the unspeakable tragedy. The members of the church where this horrific act occurred have beautifully modeled Romans 12:14, 17 – 19 … “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. … Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay, ‘says the Lord.'” Their actions are proving that they were not merely getting into the Word of God through Bible study, but through Bible study the Word of God had gotten into them and had changed their lives! The citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, and many beyond, are serving as glowing examples of how to extend compassion, love and faith in the middle of tragedy with a resolve to lift and support those who are wounded and battered in loss and unspeakable grief.
Despite the very real dangers abroad, I believe our greatest dangers – and our greatest future battles – are right here at home in America. But we’re seeing firsthand that the battle is winnable!
That’s why we at Hope For The Heart will continue to diligently extend biblical hope and practical help for dealing with the life issues that trip up so many people and lead them to act out tragic decisions. And we will remain faithful in striving to help renew people, restore families, revitalize churches and help as many people as possible become ambassadors of HOPE right where they live and work.
If you or someone you know is dealing with this difficult tragedy and need someone to talk to, please call our Hope Care Center at 1-800-488-HOPE (4673). You can also find free resources on Grief, Anger, Evil and Suffering, Forgiveness and more at www.hopefortheheart.org/a-word-of-hope-in-the-midst-of-tragedy.
*Excerpt taken from Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum address, “The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions.”
(Source: Christian Newswire)
