6 Steps for Rebuilding After an Attack

Beirut. Baghdad. Paris.

Less recently in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston, even right here at FT Hood.

These cities and countless others around the globe have been attacked by instruments of evil and the devastating destruction echoes to the farthest corners of civilization.

I don’t usually comment on current events.

Since I make every attempt to avoid the news, I feel there are others more qualified to cover these issues.

But today I feel compelled to share with you some steps for rebuilding after an attack.

I know things may feel out of control. Like uncommon violence has become commonplace. Or perhaps as if the forces of evil are winning. Or maybe we have even become numb to terrorism like we witnessed in Paris on Friday.

First, let me assure you that nothing we face is beyond God’s control. Every event in the news has been filtered through Our Heavenly Father’s loving hands before it touches our lives.

The bible records how God allowed enemy forces to destroy Jerusalem. His people failed to heed warnings brought by the prophets and refused to repent and return to the One True God. His Holy name could not be tarnished by their disobedience. Because of their faithlessness, in an ultimate attack of terror, He allowed His own city, it’s walls and His temple to be destroyed, as His people were carried off into 70 years of captivity in Babylon. During this time, the prophet Jeremiah shared God’s familiar encouraging message with the captives: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).”

What this means for us is that we must trust God’s absolute sovereignty to use any and all methods to work out His will among the nations - to believe His plans are for good even when it doesn’t seem like it.

With a proper understanding of this foundational principle we can skip ahead to what happened when the captives returned home. The wall that had once protected Jerusalem from invaders was in shambles, leaving the people vulnerable and frightened. When our walls have been breached and our security is threatened, we too, fear for our safety.

Nehemiah’s example during the rebuilding teaches us six steps to confidently proceed after times of destruction: Pray, Arm, Repent, Remember, Reassure, and Renew.

1. Pray - before every major decision Nehemiah prayed for God’s direction and His protection. Scripture teaches us to pray without ceasing, to pray instead of worrying, and to cast all our cares on Him. It also assures us that every thing we ask for in accordance with His will is sure to come to pass. We pray for protection, direction, and provision because God is in charge. When we don’t know what to pray the Holy Spirit interprets our groaning and Jesus intercedes on our behalf.
2. Arm ourselves with the Word - Nehemiah armed some of the people to stand guard on the wall as construction was being completed because surrounding nations were threatening to attack. The enemy will taunt us with doubt, fear, and temptation in trying times to draw us away from truth. Do not allow him to gain a foothold in your mind with his deceit. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the forces of evil in this world. Jesus stood against the enemy in the desert with only the word of God. What is written is for our protection.
3. Repent - A natural result of prayer and studying The Word is feeling the need to repent. This is what the Israelites did after Nehemiah and the Levite priests explained the Law of Moses to them. When we turn from our sins and toward God we open up new avenues for a closer relationship with Him. So, let us be blameless before our God, by repenting of our sin and standing on faith that the blood of Jesus covers them all. Repentance restores to us the joy of our salvation and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Convinced that God’s grace frees us from our sins, we eliminate one of the enemy’s key offensive weapons against us - guilt.
4. Remember what God has already accomplished for us - Nehemiah used the words from Exodus: “our God will fight for us (Nehemiah 4:20)” to remind the people how God had saved their ancestors from Egyptian slavery, brought them through the Red Sea and into the promised land to encourage them to rally against the enemies that threatened as they rebuilt. This same practice gives us the courage to stand in the face of adversity. Consider all the things God has already accomplished - from the soul saving sacrifice of his Son on the cross to the daily bread we enjoy and everything in between. Let’s give thanks to God for all He has done for us.
5. Reassure others with Truth - When we stand firm in our faith despite destruction others will notice. They will want to know what gives us the power to remain steadfast, and that opens doors to share the life-saving news of the gospel with them. By sharing God’s grace with those around us, we form allies in the battle against evil. We are stronger together.
6. Renew our focus on the work of the Lord - When the Israelite’s enemies heard about the completion of the wall, “they were very disheartened in their own eyes for they perceived that this work was done by God (Nehemiah 6:16).” So, too, will our enemies be discouraged when they see how God has restored us after their attacks. Everything we do should be done as if for the Lord, because only what is done for Him will stand. If you ever feel as if your work is of little eternal consequence, I want to encourage you with this Oswald Chambers quote: “Prayer does not fit us (or prepare us) for greater works, PRAYER IS THE GREATER WORK.” We are all capable of powerful prayer.

So, you can see this is less a list of steps and more a cyclical process to continuously engage.

When we reach what seems to be the final step and find ourselves focusing on the work of the Lord, that returns us to our starting point of prayer. Continuously rebuilding on a foundation of God’s grace when evil attacks can also be referred to as growth.

Viewing trials as opportunities for growth is a sign of spiritual maturity.

When we battle our way back from destruction and rebuild together we will be stronger than ever.

The battles we face are not against flesh and blood. No matter how much it seems like it, our enemy is not ISIS, terrorists posing as refugees, or suicide bombers. We battle instead against spiritual powers in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Our protective wall is not built with mortar and stone, but is the shield of faith established by the blood of Christ. God no longer inhabits a temple, but lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him. So to rebuild we must engage the full power of the Holy Spirit within us through prayer, studying The Word, Repentance, Remembering, Reassuring, and Renewing our focus on the Lord.

No matter what battles we face, we know who wins. The Victor’s purposes will not be thwarted and in the end, His holy name will be glorified in all the earth as we experience full and complete restoration in His Kingdom.

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for peace and restoration in areas affected by terror attacks, strengthen and encourage the wounded and grieving as they rebuild on the firm foundation of Your Word. We pray for those who seek to escape the evils of their own country and find refuge in far-away lands, that You would be their strength, protection, and comfort. We pray that Your wisdom would guide the leadership of our nation and all those around the world who must make critical decisions about how to move forward and balance the decisions to both support and protect all of Your people. We pray for our Soldiers who have volunteered to stand on our walls in the physical realm to protect us. We ask You to give them protection, direction, and provision physically, emotionally and spiritually during, and after the battle. We pray also for the perpetrators of these attacks, that any future plans would be thwarted, that they would see You as we rebuild and might recognize You as the One True God and repent of their ways. We pray also for those of us in a rebuilding phase, that You would strengthen our faith, that Your Spirit would lead us to repentance and a closer relationship with You, that we would fight our battles in prayer and wield the sword of Your Word effectively, that You would give us opportunities to reassure others with the truth about Your grace, that You would help us call to mind everything You have done for us so that we might be brave in the face of adversity and renew within us a fervor for Your work, Lord. As we rebuild a strengthened and mature faith, help us to see how Your plans give us a future and a hope, not just for our days on earth, but an everlasting hope as we await our final restoration in Your kingdom. All these things we pray in Jesus’ holy and precious name, Amen.

For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.