Pray for Paris

My heart sank Friday night at the news of the Paris attacks.  The beautiful City of Lights... and my favorite city on Earth was attacked.

As many of you know my husband was born and raised in the Paris area and we still have family and close friends that live there.  We were frantically checking in to make sure everyone was accounted for and thank God they were! But so many were not so lucky.   There is now a pit that lives in our stomachs as we think about what happened.

Where do I even begin with this? As someone who already struggles with anxiety, are we not supposed to go out in public? Restaurants? Bars? CONCERTS? Where will this end?

If we succumb to this fear. This anxiety... The enemy WINS. He gains territory within each of us.  Instead, lets remember that:

“Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One.” (Eph. 6:12–16 NCV)

The most beautiful thing I read was from Hillsong's Joel Houston:

Dear Paris, our hearts break with yours from afar, and though indeed the night seems darker than ever before, remember now, You are the 'City of Lights' - more now than ever. So remind us all, especially those who are blinded by their own hatred that even the deepest-dark can not stand a chance against even the faintest glimmer of light. You have our love, our thoughts and our prayers.  

 
Your love surrounds me when my thoughts wage war
When night screams terror there Your voice will roar
Come death or shadow
God I know Your light will meet me there
When fear comes knocking there You'll be my guard
When day breeds trouble there You'll hold my heart
Come storm or battle
God I know Your Peace will meet me there