REAL WORLD....This is Not a Test!

In this world you will have tribulation

but be of good cheer for I have overcome

the world. (John 16:33 KJV)

As our nation celebrated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 a common question was asked:  Do you remember where you were September 11, 2001?  Tag lines for the plethora of posters and signs generally included phrases like this:  Never Forget!  We Remember! Gone But Not Forgotten!  

I REMEMBER IT WELL! (You probably do too!)

On a Girls Trip to New York a few years ago, we visited Ground Zero and The National September 11 Memorial and Museum.   It was a sobering and emotionally devastating experience.  I can only imagine the trauma the people in New York must still feel having lived through that horrible day.  But honestly over the past 19 years whenever this anniversary rolls around, I try hard to think about anything BUT that tragic time! I pray for the families who are still grieving and of course ask God for protection from future attacks but because so many tragedies are still occurring, it is almost overshadowed in my opinion!

However, it is because of this fact, that I paid more attention to the memorials this year.  Especially the ones that featured human interest stories.  As I viewed documentaries,  I saw the endless piles of rubble and firefighters digging through the stench looking for remains. I saw pain still visible 20 years later on the faces of loved ones and young adult children who grew up not knowing a parent who perished that day.   

I listened closely to the newly released live recordings, text messages, calls, and air traffic communication of those in the air planes that crashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon! I felt the panic and bewilderment of the flight crew, air traffic controllers, and military units trying to figure out where the attacks were coming from and what their next targets might be.  Out of the three to four hours of coverage I watched, one statement by an air traffic controller struck me to my core, he said: 

"IS THIS REAL WORLD OR A TEST!?"

To enhance national security, the military and commercial airlines routinely conduct simulations of hijackings.  These are training exercises to test the preparedness of all involved should a genuine hijacking take place. These tests are done with limited warning and all protocols are followed with speed and precision just as if it was really happening.  

September 11 was Real World Not A Test for our nation!  So is COVID-19,  the January 6 Insurrection, Escalating crime, Eviction crises and Voter disfranchisement!  Failed infrastructures (aeronautic, military, and social) show we are NOT prepared!!  But how prepared are you? Where will you be when the next tragedy strikes!

This is no Doom and Gloom message, only a Spiritual Alert to make sure you have the proper tools whenever another hits!!  Maybe this will help!

YOUR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 

CHECK LIST! 

1.  New World Reservations Made (Eternal Security)  _____ 

          John 3:16

2.  Support Network in Place (Prayer warriors) _____ 

        James 5:13-16

3.  Military Gear Accessible and Fully Equipped  (Armor of God) _____ 

        Ephesians 6:10-18

4.  Tactical Guide Handy (Bible verses memorized ) _____ 

         Psalm 119:105

5.  Survival Kit Packed (water, food, first aid, purification) _____

        John 4:13-14 

        John 6:35

        James 5:13-15

        I John 1:9

        

 6.  Mental Alertness Recently Tested (Enemy Reconnaissance)  _____ 

         I Peter 5:8   

 7.  Mental Sustenance Intact (Hope)   _____

        Hebrews 11:1

 

!UNTIL NEXT TIME

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.