For Grieving Violence
Image of many lit tea candles, fading into the distance. By Mike Labrum via Unsplash
“Doing” Combative Praise isn’t a formula, but for the Type A personalities out there, I’ve come up with some helpful tips for the process. Remember, this is about being present to your body, thoughts, and emotions, and the following is simply meant to help guide your thoughts through the process. I like to start by reading a passage from the Bible that speaks to the moment, and then listening to some music to help shift my mindset to praise in the midst of those feelings. It’s not mean to change the way I feel, but to remember that God is still worthy of praise even when this world is a hard place to live.
This was initially published in response to the Stop AAPI Hate movement, but now, in the midst of Russia’s ruthless invasion of Ukraine, mass shootings in the US including those in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX, and a general overwhelm of national and international violence, I’m revisiting it again. The passage feels hollow to me now seeing how things haven’t changed and don’t seem like they’re going to. But I also know that after each instance of evil has been a prevailing commitment to good, and so I look forward to what is forming in the hearts of man today, even as I give in to grief.
Some things to think about as you read the Scripture passage:
What sensations am I feeling in my body? Where am I feeling it?
What emotions are arising to the surface?
Do I know the context of this passage? What is it?
How is this relevant right now?
What does this show me about God?
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah“
Psalm 46 (esv)
If you have a Spotify account, you can use the link below for my Combative Praise playlist (I personally like to keep it on shuffle).
Peace be with you today, my friends.
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This post originally appeared on the Bstro Blog in 2021. The words are mine, and have been updated and repurposed for this website.
