Five Tips Re: Paris Attack Fears

Fear grips viewers thousands of miles from Paris as anxious reporters struggle to describe the gruesome carnage rolling in the background footage. The unthinkable has happened; the innocent have been slaughtered in the name of ISIS. Over and over the news broadcast the disturbing scenes, igniting an impenetrable cage of fear around the globe. In this post, I offer five tips re: Paris attack fears.

The greatest weapon ISIS uses against us is fear. How they delight in the public’s reaction to their barbaric deeds. But, how can we experience peace and not fear when the threats continue?

Tip One: Focus on Facts

Over the weekend, I joined friends in flipping from one news-feed to another, trying to hear reports from every angle—national and international. Though the various points of view have merit, it’s the facts that really matter. Focus on the facts to keep grounded in truth and not be carried away by speculation.

Focus on facts that are crucial to our everyday life. Primarily this: all of us will die one day. The Bible says that all of us have been given a certain number of days to live before we’ve even taken our first breath. (Ps. 139:16)

It matters to our Creator God how we spend those days. Regardless of the crisis that intersects our lives—or interrupts our earthly journey—the critical point to ponder is this: If my days turn out to be far fewer than I’d figured, what then?

For those who call Him Lord, God’s Word promises that He will never leave nor forsake us. We may be in the midst of danger, but we’ll not be there alone. We can trust that God’s there to see that we live out those appointed number of days on this earth. Peace and security come when we rest in the center of His will, the palm of His hand.

Tip Two: Examine the Evidence

Unless you’re a part of the Paris investigative team—in which case you have no time to be reading this post—you will only have access to evidence presented by the news—online and off. Be discerning as you take in the tidbits offered. Toss out those too sensational to believe, especially those not released by the primary news sources. Their only purpose is to scare us.

When we examine the evidence, there’s a temptation to breathe a sigh of relief that Paris is far from our own doors. Keep in mind that those folks didn’t consider how Friday would end when they had lunch that day.

I’m not at all one of those fire-and-brimstone types, but in examining the evidence, I’m aware that I must be prepared for the Day of Judgment. It can arrive when I least expect it.

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” (I. Thess. 5:1-4 NIV)

While none of us knows when our final day may come, the children of God can be at peace that whenever it comes, we’ll welcome the face of Jesus with a smile and joy unspeakable.

Tip Three: Adjust our Attitude

When a crisis of such magnitude arises, attitude adjustments run the gamut. From “It’ll never happen to me, so I don’t have to be diligent to obey the warnings;” all the way to “I’m not leaving my house—ever again!”

Sometimes, I think that the authorities tend to be overly cautious in the early stages of recovery. Nevertheless, according to the Bible, I’m to obey their warnings and procedures—insofar as they don’t contradict the Word of God.

^“Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Rom. 13:5 NIV)

Peace is found in submitting to the Lord. To have God’s approval, I need to do what I’m asked to do. I’ll be diligent to consider the surroundings whenever it’s safe to venture out. I’ll avoid the assembling in the places or at the times the authorities command, and even more, I’ll ask the Holy Spirit to put a check in my own spirit so that I’m not on a flight or in a stadium God knows will interfere with His plan for my life

It’s the perfect time for each of us to adjust our attitude. Refuse that rebellious streak that insists on going along as though nothing at all happened. The fact is that something horrific did happen. ISIS has threatened our world. Cautiously going about our normal everyday activities demonstrates wisdom not defeat.

Tip Four: Recognize Genuine Reality

When we’re young we think we’ll live forever, right? The reality is that none of us will. Both the ages of the attackers and their victims caused my mother’s heart great sorrow. Such a needless loss of young life.

Did any of the victims realize that eternity would knock at their door before they returned home that last evening? Did any of the victims or attackers recognize genuine reality and even consider that very night they’d stand before the One Holy and Almighty God to give an account of how they’d lived the life He gave them? No trip to a Paradise full of six dozen virgins for each bomber.

The reality is the 129 victims, and 7 killers discovered that truth Friday, November 13, 2015. I wondered if any had ever read and let these two verses from Romans Chapter Ten affect their lives:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23 NIV)

And…

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23 NIV)

The bad news is that all of us have sinned, regardless of how hard we’ve tried to be a good person and do the right thing. Only Jesus finished His sojourn on earth without one sin on His record.

The good news is that we don’t ever need to live or die with those sins on our record. None of us! God has made a way for us all. Security is found in God’s way everywhere on the face of the globe—regardless of cultural differences.

Tip Five: Search for Safety

While I can’t promise that you’ll never be in danger or harm’s way, I can promise you that you’ll never be there alone if you follow the statements the Apostle Paul made in his letter to the Romans. Contained within you’ll find the only real answer to your search for safety.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Rom. 10:9-10 NIV)

“But,” you might counter, “You don’t know me and the stuff I’ve done. God’ll never want me.”

Later on in the same chapter, Paul writes, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 KJV)

As kids, we used to say that “whosoever” meant “yousoever” and “mesoever,” because that’s exactly what the Lord intended. There’s no one God will turn away—no one, regardless of past history.

If you’re afraid of what you see happening in this world and are seeking peace and safety, I can promise you that you’ll only find it in a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus. Like all of us, you’ll die one day; none of us knows the exact day or time. The truth is that there’s life after death for all of us. The real question is where you’ll spend that eternity.

In light of the relentless pursuit of ISIS, I urge you to consider these Five Tips Re: Paris Attack Fears. We can enjoy peace and safety even though the murderous radicals are determined to rid the world of all who oppose their ideology. Ultimately, they’ll lose, and those who call upon the Lord will be saved. That’s guaranteed.