God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though it waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at it swelling.

~Psalm 46: 1-3 ESV

The Attack

Sam slept soundly until his alarm clock suddenly awoke him. But his brain couldn’t comprehend the alarming news he saw when he turned on the television.

Sam was engrossed as he listened to the news, even though he found it difficult to comprehend how an aircraft could crash into an office building, namely the North Tower of the World Trade Center. As smoke billowed from the tower, Sam suddenly and without warning saw the unthinkable. Flight 175 slammed into the World Trade Center South Tower at 9:28 a.m. Thirty-four minutes later, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Twenty-six minutes later, Flight 93 slammed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

As the alarming news flowed, the final blow was delivered. The fire intensity caused both towers to collapse. As the towers fell, so did Sam’s sense of security. His hope crumbled.

Uncertainty

I recall September 11, 2001, as if it were yesterday. Watching the events unfold, I felt disbelief and denial as I pondered what the future held. Would there be other days of destruction? Would my children’s lives never be the same? Could we walk the streets again as a society or go about our daily routines?

My sense of security, strength, and hope crumbled. Daily events change people’s lives, and our society reflects those changes as our world spins into tribulation. So, how do we survive the alarming news and remain strong in the face of it?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

~1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV

Survival

We can survive alarming news by finding strength and hope in God’s Word. Our heavenly Father has given us instructions. All we must do is commit ourselves to studying His Word diligently. We must also communicate with God through prayer. This builds our relationship with God and gives us the strength to defeat Satan’s fiery darts.

Sam and I survived the mental attack on us that day. We both drew closer to God through daily Bible study and prayer time.

What steps can you take to survive alarming news?

 

Lord Jesus, I thank You that through your Scriptures I can find hope and strength in my time of need. May I always experience Your perfect peace, even amid alarming news. Amen

Genre: Non-Fiction

Copyright 2023: Alarming News: Ed Chappelle