By Nancy Virden (c)2023

My take on Israel versus Hamas and Hizbollah is apolitical (as for my motive) and instead focuses on the people involved. If you have lived in a war zone, you may understand the strain living in survival mode creates on one’s psyche. By God’s grace, I have never been in a war. My smaller experience with surviving mental illness and abuse has taught me one thing in this regard – we are not meant to sustain long-term dread or shock.

My heart goes out to families affected by death, shock, fear, and loss. Mental health is being damaged on all sides. How people will recover, only time will tell.

Being so far from the conflict, it would be simple to sit back and assume it has nothing to do with me. However, as a believer in the Bible, having read hundreds of prophecies about Israel and the surrounding countries that have already come to pass, I do not take any of the recent events lightly. What happens there will affect me, and you no matter where you are.

So what can we do? If you are one to pray in the name of The Truth, The Way, and The Life, that is, Jesus, then pray for restraint and constraint that this war will not accelerate into WW III.

I know there is one answer to the conflict that both sides have ignored for thousands of years. This answer does not promise perfection, but it guarantees peace. If Jews would recognize that their Messiah has already come and that his kingdom for now is a spiritual one, with a physical kingdom coming later, they would have his strength and power. Their battles would belong to the Lord. This is promised throughout scripture.

If Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims would recognize Jesus as the promised One, they would not fight Israel and would see all their dreams for freedom and land come true. The semite brotherhood would be one of unity.

Most people will scoff at this, but Jews and Arabs who claim to believe the Bible will be blessed by discovering how Scripture defends itself. Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the life of Jesus, along with good promises for any who believe, are witnesses to its reliability and guarantees.

Meanwhile, the nations erupt in anger and dispute. For the sake of all those involved, let us pray.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Peter 1:10-13

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,  inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.  It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

*today’s featured photo is not from the present war

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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