Coping With the Threat of Violent Attacks

Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts  and stir up war every day.( Psalm 149:1-2 N.I.V)

Random acts of violence affect us deeply even when we do not know the victims. A few days ago, a lone gunman killed 20 small children and 6 adults in a US school. Here in Kenya, there have been spates of such violence with bombs hurled into buses, churches, and social places killing many innocent people going about their business. Even as we empathize with others for their loss, our sense of safety is shaken and nowhere feels safe. We realize our vulnerability and mortality. The threat to our lives begins to feel like the sword of Damocles (which hang perilously over his couch, fastened to the ceiling by only a horse hair). We feel traumatized and wonder what it takes for a human being to be driven to massacre so many people. How much hatred for others could they be harboring? Can’t they connect with all the human suffering their actions bring about?

But we should not let our fears and anxieties overcome us and render us unable to function. Like Helen Keller who was visually impaired said, life is a daring adventure as danger is always lurking.  We should be pushed more into action to prevent recurrence especially by trying to reach out to those who are marginalized, dehumanized and lonely and therefore prone to commit such acts either out of their own volition or as easy prey for masterminds of terror. We should seek opportunities to be there for those who are directly affected, providing hope and comfort. We should also do our best to be vigilant to potential threats, and most of all keep our hearts clean and ready for the Lord.

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The fact is that people are good. Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior. Abraham Maslow

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