Trusting God in a bloody world – because who else are you going to trust? The headline alert was displayed on the lock screen of my phone when I woke up, like the rest of the world.

Bombs. Explosions. Terror attacks. Dead. Europe.

Unlike the rest of the world, one of my dearest treasures is in Europe. You know, when you’re a mother and you let your heart walk around outside your body, or in this case, fly 30,000 feet over Europe while the Brussels airport gets ripped apart by suicide bombers.

Bombs. Explosions. Terror attacks. Dead. Europe.

Psalm 112:7, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” NIV

WHO ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST?

You probably know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when the phone rings in the middle of the night, or the car isn’t in the driveway in the morning or the calls keep going straight to voicemail. Your mind hops on a bullet train and transports your thoughts straight to the police department or the hospital or worse. Borrowing trouble is easy, but the interest payment is awfully high.

Matthew 6: 34, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” MSG

WHATEVER HARD THINGS

“Whatever” pretty much covers it, but worry is a waste. If I were a worrier, I would not let him go. It’s not that I think the world is safe. No, I want him home.
Images of bloody clothes and strewn bodies in the subway and airport got personal in an instant. The protective detachment I usually feel with news coverage of strangers in anguish, scrambling and shock dissolved. This mother’s eyes saw fresh that those bodies belonged to someone’s kid, some college student traveling for spring break, some family member going home for a visit, some business man or woman traveling for work or someone’s fiance’. Each one oblivious to the evil targeting them.

1 Peter 5:8, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” NLT

ALERT

My son is oblivious too. He texts me pictures of the cathedrals he visits and the authentic food he eats. As a caution, I sent him a copy of the state department’s travel alert:

Exercise vigilance when in public places… particular caution during religious holidays…

LIKE MAYBE EASTER?

Easter is a bloody holiday. It’s also the only truly safe place in a bloody world.

Jesus willingly strapped on the vest of human skin. He knew when it detonated His own flesh would be torn to shreds. Unlike the terrorists in Brussels, Paris and Iraq, His suicide mission’s purpose was to bring life, eternal and abundant, rather than destruction and devastation.

John 10:10, “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” HCSB

HARM’S WAY

I talked to the boy on the phone yesterday, except he sounded like a man. We will all be relieved when he gets home, but we know first-hand home isn’t safe either.

This same weekend last year, my mother couldn’t drive fast enough while I prayed all the way to the emergency room to meet my family. While surrounded by serene waterfalls ans stable rock formations, our world shook violently. The sun set peacefully on a horizon sculpted by mountains as a body board evacuation invaded the tranquility of our safe little corner of the world. That night I slept on the couch in the same room as my man-child, as if my presence two feet away offered a sliver of protection from the unknown glitch in human physiology. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. Sometimes more fearfully.

Peace is NOT a place

Peace is NOT smooth circumstances

Peace is NOT being sure everything is going to turn out alright, peace is knowing you’re going to be okay even if it doesn’t

Peace IS trust in a living God who is good all the time, even when bombs go off

in airports

in our bodies

in our homes

True peace cannot be explained

PEACE 

Pray for Brussels, pray for Europe and pray for my son traveling five thousand miles home on a “religious holiday.”

Pray for peace, not only peace on earth, but in my heart, and yours.

You see, the Prince of Peace was bloodied so you could receive Him and His offer.

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” KJV

THE KEEPER

Oh that Christ Jesus would keep your hearts and minds. That, my friend, is my prayer for you.

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” HCSB

If we acted like we say we believe, I imagine the whole, bloody world would want what we have.

Check my Facebook page, Vickie Petz Henderson and I’ll post a travel update. If you received encouragement and want to receive my posts in your inbox weekly then enter your email address in the annoying box that pops up. Feel free to share with  your friends as well. Happy Easter.

Want to read more? Don't depend on social media; subscribe and get blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

Don't miss the next one!

SUBSCRIBE!

You have Successfully Subscribed!