October 8, 2001
FAMILY MATTERS:
Prayfor leaders, talk about feelings
___I don't know what to think about us going to war. Part of me wants us to go over there and bomb everyone. Part of me thinks we should love and forgive. I wish there was some way we could do both!
___When something terrible happens, our feelings become jumbled and confused. We react to extreme events in extreme ways. It's not uncommon when someone is in a crisis for that person to want to cry and laugh and scream all at the same time. So, the fact you desire retaliation and forgiveness isn't so unusual.
DEBBIE CHISOLM
Minister to Students
Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas
___When someone makes a decision to blow up a building and terrorize thousands, we can find them and see that they are held accountable for their actions. We don't kill their families or bomb their places of business, and we don't attack their towns or neighborhoods.
___But what happened in New York wasn't the result of one person deciding to terrorize and destroy. Many people think the only way to respond to a nameless, faceless number of people is to declare war.
___Unfortunately, this means innocent people will find themselves in the line of fire. Moms and dads, who wake up early every morning and work until nightfall in hopes of feeding their children, will find themselves on the front line. People whose only crime is that they were born in some forsaken place rather than America will die.
___In the midst of this truth, our government has to decide how to respond and how to protect. No matter how you look at it, it's a difficult decision to make.
___Aren't you glad it's not a decision you have to make?
___As we walk through the upcoming days, you can decide to do two things.
___First, you can pray for our government and for the people who will be affected by the decisions that are made. The more you pray for people, even your enemies, the more control you give the Spirit over your emotions.
___Second, you can talk about your feelings with parents, teachers, counselors and ministers. They will be able to help you sort them out, and together, we'll make it through these terrible days.
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