How to Conquer Fear after a Vicious Attack: I. Direct Your Mind
In ongoing conversations of the Newtown attack, I continue to hear comments that speak of fear that it could happen to “me.” The tragedy has negative ripple effects far beyond the local community if we allow fear to creep in.
The truth is that we can never put in enough laws and safeguards to prevent a reoccurrence elsewhere. We can’t know which person will do it next or know which location needs extra security to avert the attack.
In short, it can happen again–anywhere. And we know that. Thus the fear.
More details about the tragedy are being reported every day, along with pictures that tug at our emotions and lead to identification.
One example is the teacher that said, “I realized that I have a side room I can take kids into, but I don’t know what I’ve done with the key that locks the door. I’ve gotten lax.” With identification, comes fear that it could happen to me.
It’s good when fear leads to greater preparedness, but not for it to linger, hovering like a cloud that grips your heart when you drop your kids off at the school door.
So, how do we not be afraid when we know it can happen to us or to those we love?
I know it is a worn out phrase, but the battle is in the mind. And also in the heart. We’ll deal with the mind first, and talk about the heart later.
The Mind
Paul tells us how to have peace of mind, when we’re bombarded by fears of attack or by worries of a more personal nature—such as finances, cancer, broken relationships, or loss of a job.
In Phillipians 4:8, Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
We choose what we think about. We can think about the negative, or we can look for positive in the midst of it. If we practice thinking about these positive things, we will have God’s peace.
There are positive things in the midst of the horror. The loss is terrific, but because of the training, quick thinking, and courage of the staff and the quick response and courage of the first responders, it isn’t nearly as great as it could have been. In addition, the system worked and parents were notified quickly.
During a time of great division, the nation responded as one and is standing in unity with the small town of Newtown in their grief.
As we learn of the heroics of the staff, there is much that is honorable and of good repute. There are many things worthy of praise. There are many signs that in these troubling times, there is still good in the hearts of Americans. Why focus on the evil of one when there is so much positive—even in the same scene?
As our hearts are heavy for those who lost their children, we can also be grateful that our children were not involved. It’s all right to be grateful for your own blessings and at the same time to weep with those who weep.
As we identify with the loss and pain and grieve with those who grieve, Lord, open our eyes to see the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely. Help us to acknowledge the things of good repute and excellence, the things that are worthy of praise. Help us to focus on the positive so that your peace will be with us in the midst of the bad things happening around us.
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