The Tribune

By REV ANGELA PALACIOUS

ONE of the hardest things in the world today is to feel safe. There seems to be an element of danger mixed with just about every situation.

In the home, where we are supposed to be protected and nurtured, there can be more hostility than on the streets. The absence of loving kindness is all too evident in the lives of too many of our people, especially our children. Alcoholism and other drug addictions set a roller coaster of moods and emotions off in the home which can be a source of such major distress that no one is able to function normally. Domestic violence creates a reign of terror that makes every moment an experience of anguished unpredictability.

What can be done? How do we turn these situations around? There has to be some direct intervention by persons who have some authority.

Older family members, a pastor, a counsellor and the police may all have to partner together to call the offending member or members to account.

We have to notify someone to start the investigation quietly. If this is your nightmare get help from somewhere. Call the Crisis Centre anonymously to determine the best course of action. We all want and need to feel safe. We have to pray and take action as a nation to exhibit zero tolerance for addictive and abusive behaviour. We have to make each other accountable for our current situation. We have to pray and act with the mind of Christ.

At school, there is developing a trend that is very frightening. We need only watch or listen to the foreign news to hear of students opening fire on others. Here at home, we are dealing with anti-social behaviour of varying kinds, with some parents acting out in a manner that is worse than their children. We need wisdom from God to be alert to problems before they escalate.

In church, we have to exercise more self-restraint, especially when it comes to inappropriate touching. There are those who use the greeting of the peace or at the doors to come “too close for comfort”. Propositions and harassment have to stop, not to speak of the “out and out” abuse that is being reported. We need to confess, repent and seek holiness as our norm.

When it comes to feeling unsafe on or around our streets, we are afraid to drive with windows down, to walk past abandoned buildings, to come outdoors in our front or backyards. Driving with windows down or doors unlocked is to court trouble. We need more prayer patrols.

Air travel, sea travel, road travel has been fraught with sensational incidents, so much so there are those who choose to remain at home and not venture abroad. Various airborne diseases, terrorist attacks, and political upheaval have robbed the brave traveller of some of the pleasure of journeying to exotic places. We must remember to take our prayer and praise with us.

The bottom line is that we are not safe anywhere but in the arms of Jesus. This world has always been a wonder-filled, but dangerous place. From the beginning of time there have been murders, wars and invasions. Slavery, the sex trade, abductions and disappearances for political reasons, these are just some of the horrors which continue to exist. We need the Lord to save us and change us.