You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
(Psalm 50:19)

I couldn’t drive to my sister’s home in Queens fast enough, as I’m listening, there’s a second plane hitting the twin towers. At first, I thought it was a terrible accident. The radio announced that at 8:46 am, Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at One World Trade Center. But then, the unimaginable happened! At 9:03 am, Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower at Two World Trade Center.

Immediately I knew we were under a terrorist attack! Fear gripped me to heights greater than I thought possible. The panic they faced. The despair in their belief of a hopeless peril. Gas pedal accelerated much faster than legal limits. I must warn her!

I ran into her home without slamming my car door shut! Screaming! “Have you heard?” She turned off the vacuum startled! “Heard what?” I turned on her T.V. “Get your kids out of school!” I pleaded as I raced back into my car to do the same. “We’re under attack!” I lived 20 minutes from my sister and my daughter’s school was another 15 minutes further away. But due to police, military, and all other law enforcement presence, street closures, and bumper to bumper traffic, our arrival was delayed by two and half hours. In that moment, I was a mother racing against the clock to save my children.

As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
(Job 4: NIV)

I picked up my ex-husband along the way. There wasn’t any doubt in my heart this was a hateful deliberate response to the evil nature possessed by those whose spiritual, cultural, and traditional beliefs differ from ours. These nuances were the driving force to execute what swelled in their hearts.

At 9:37 am, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Then at 9:59 am, the South tower collapsed. After, at 10:03 am Flight 93 crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Lastly, at 10:28, the North Tower collapsed.

These hateful attacks killed 2,996 people. More than 6,000 were injured. Since then, many more continue to suffer from 9/11 related cancer and respiratory diseases that has resulted in numerous deaths. A calamity never seen before on our soil.

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
(James 1:21 ESV)

Like most of us, I was watching, crying, praying, wondering was it possible to survive this? You see, it wasn’t just a momentary experience. It was an impact of a lifetime. Forever changing families across the nation.

Although there have been arrests and convictions for these heinous crimes, much tension arose between our cultures. The impact went far beyond the geopolitics in our societies. There were and continues to be feelings of anxiety among us. Our sense of safety tarnished, leaving us vulnerable to potential threats everywhere, every day.

Researchers affiliated with New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, and the Veterans Administration Boston Healthcare System (https://www.verywellmind.com/the-effect-of-911-on-religion-2797180) and  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3118577 conducted studies of people who lost a loved one during 9/11. Their findings have been summarized that most people continued to believe their religion was just as important prior to the attacks. About a tenth said it was more important after and an equal amount said it was less important.

Personally, I didn’t know anyone who perished that day. The grief I’ve experienced amounts to my dad’s illness leading to his death and severed relationships that left me broken beyond my ability to cope. I knew during those dark moments that without God’s help I wouldn’t survive. The only comfort had to come from surrendering myself to Him, Jesus, the One who saves, with the belief that would surpass all understanding. God would get me through because it wasn’t possible, in anyway, I could endure my grief and simultaneously thrive on my own.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

Life altering traumatic events leaves us so broken that it may lead us closer to our faith or draw us away from it. It’s difficult to comprehend that something good can result from the deepest pain we can imagine. But somehow through God’s grace and mercies, we can overcome tragedy. We’ll never forget. But we can find hope in what seems hopeless through the comfort of our Almighty God. He’s more than able to strengthen us in our afflictions. One moment at a time. One day at a time. One year at a time.

Our fragile faith can only be nourished by God’s Word. Its truth is powerful. Life giving. When we struggle with our faith, we’re often unable to overcome a traumatic experience. This becomes challenging when our hearts prompt us to comfort another who is afflicted.

In the midst of our despair, how do we offer hope when we’re feeling hopeless?

Extending myself to others while battling my own anguish initially was very challenging but ultimately comforting. During those dark tainted seasons, the light of love is the only antidote to hate. But without our Savior, it’s impossible to shine on someone else’s despair.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
(Genesis 50:20 ESV)

So many times, satan thinks that by his willful acts of hate will result in our demise. As Joseph used his painful experiences to honor those he served; the pharaoh and God, he prospered in all he did. We too aren’t excluded from God’s redemptive power. Our Father heals and restores us. He brings us to new realms, lavished with His amazing love and provisions. As we surrender our pain to Him, He’ll use it. He’ll make beauty out of ashes.

I’m living proof.The love of Jesus has taught me and continues to teach me daily, how to let go of resentment, unforgiveness, anger, and disappointment I harbored. His Word encourages me to share how He’s using my mess to deliver a message of hope to all who are hopeless. Jesus’ heart turned my life around and it can alter yours too.  My voice is my ministry.

Yes. With God all thing are possible. Good can come from evil. The mere thought of surviving the loss of a love one/s is daunting. We’ll never understand why this happened. That, among many other unknown answers, will be revealed to us when we come face to face with our creator. But I hope their loss isn’t in vain. May light shine over darkness. May those unspeakable acts prompt us to turn toward the only who can save. Yes. Our gracious Lord saves.

Nearly 2,996 perished and continue to succumb to related diseases, but we can’t ignore all who were there working, visiting, and passing by could have been entirely lost that morning. Therefore, we must be intentional about cherishing one another. Acknowledging that tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. To be mindful, respectful, and accepting the nuances between us. A unity formed in the wake of disaster. Coming together yearly to comfort each other.

No, I didn’t lose someone on 9/11. But I know someone who has. Her name was Monique Effie DeJesus. She was 28 years old. Working at One World Trade Center. In a dire frantic voice, her last words to her mom (paraphrased):

“Mom, there’s a fire and everything is hot. The floors. The doors. I don’t think I’m going to make it. I love you mom.”

Are you having difficulty coping with a traumatic event?

Dear Lord Jesus, with each day that passes, I’m more assured that without Your presence in my life, I’d cease to exist. The unbearable anguish resulting from traumatic events leaves us unable to move forward. You’re our only source of comfort. You’re our coping mechanism. Please help us see that when we’re blinded by our suffering, resentment, unforgiveness, anger, and disappointment. Be our driving force helping us where we can’t depend on ourselves to thrive. Inspire us to be the light in the lives of others who are grieving. May we be receptive to Your Word and an encouragement to the hurting.

It is in Your Son’s Name Jesus we pray.                                                         Song: I Still Believe
Amen.

God bless you and yours.
I love you.

In His Grip,

Esther

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