Trauma experts and psychologists are warning that life will never be emotionally the same again. "Personal security is going to be shaken and everybody's perspective on human life is likely to be shifted by it," Leslie Carrick-Smith, a British psychologist and trauma expert, told reuters. "Nobody is really going to feel safe because those towers were icons, symbols of world commerce and order. People realize how vulnerable they are to whoever could actually do that. What is so potentially psychologically damaging about it is its unexpected nature." "It turns the world into a totally alien, dangerous place in which we cannot predict what is going to happen," Gerard Bailes, a clinical and forensic psychologist in eastern England, explained to Reuters.
The "new generation" has now become "The Traumatized Generation". Millions of little children watched the events unfold on television sets in classrooms and living rooms across America. Time and time again they saw the planes crash into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, they witnessed the buildings collapse, and the ruins of one of the five sides of the Pentagon. They saw the fires, the smoke, and heard the screams. They saw people leaping to their deaths. These images and more are seared into their memories forever. These are things that they will never forget, and will shape their view of the world, and of life, and ultimately of God for the rest of their lives. And they ask the questions that can be so hard to answer - "Why would anyone do that?" "Can this happen to us?" What will you say to these extremely impressionable little ones?
An unprecedented tragedy. An unprecedented horror. An unprecedented search for answers. We, as believers, have an unprecedented opportunity. We must not shrink back. We must give the children and families the reason for the hope that is within us. The memories of tragedy need to be tempered with the truth that God is on the throne, He is in control, and even what was meant for evil, God has a way of making it turn out for His glory and our good. We must be a part of taking the flames that started in NYC and Washington DC, and seeing them become flames of revival across this nation.
NOW IS THE TIME TO TURN TO GOD, and many, many people who have been on the fringe, or even those who have denied God, are right now seeking Him. Even in their anger and cries for retribution, deep inside they are hurting, and hungry, and homeless. Tragedy always brings these feelings that we hide to the surface.
Little children see the responses of the adults around them, and record those in their memory banks as well. What image of your response will they remember? Many parents will ignore their children’s penetrating questions, or dismiss them with "Oh, don’t be silly", or will give answers that are not answers. I challenge you to right now begin to pray about what and how you will share with the children around you. Be ready to tell them straight answers, that there is evil in the world, but our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of our souls. Be ready to tell them that God will bring about His glory and our good from this and any other tragedy (for life is full of them), because He is King of the universe and of this world. Be ready to help them understand that ultimately, their security in all of life’s situations, whether good or bad, is in Jesus, and in their relationship with Him. Be ready to give them an opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Now is the time for unprecedented evangelism and revival. If this is not the catalyst, I don’t even want to think what it will take. Isn’t God shouting that loudly in your heart today? We may never have a better opportunity on a national and local scale to share the life that we have in Jesus. Don’t let this timely call from the Lord go unanswered and ignored. The newly traumatized generation desperately needs you.
For His kidz (and those who soon will be . . . .),
Robb & Jacqui Dunham
SuperKidz4Christ@cheerful.com
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