“War is a defeat for humanity.” -Pope John Paul II

There is much in the news about war.
Territorial disputes, Civil Wars, Political Instabilities, Transnational Terrorism. Horrible atrocities. 

Protests end up in violence—so much death and destruction. 

Distant wars weigh heavily on hearts close to home as the barbarity draws near. The sorrow seeps through the headlines into prayer life, dinner tables, and sleepless nights. 

Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; the produce of the olive fails and the fields no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. -Habakkuk 3:17-18 

Scripture does not soften the truth. Wars, nations against nations and scorched earth, yet, through all the noise, the steady voice is God’s. The Psalms repeat it like a drumbeat: “The Lord is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Rescue in God doesn’t always mean the absence of conflict; it means His presence inside it. God does not leave us alone even when we are in forsaken circumstances. We will encounter trouble. Our hearts are not to succumb. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Sorrow may be unavoidable in a world of loss and conflict, but Christ himself did not avoid sorrow; but entered into it fully. Sorrow will change us. The choice is whether it shrinks us down or stretches us out. Compassion and guarding our hope is the stretch. Compassion acts with what we can give and prevents distress. Refusing to let cynicism be the final word, but let the words of Paul be your compass, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” as he recommended to the Roman believers. 

Listen longer, forgive quicker,  and keep sorrow tethered to compassionate action.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, Let not my heart be troubled. While the world wars on, teach me to recognize sorrow as a bridge to action, not a barrier, and to carry compassion as Christ carried the cross. Amen.