Today, I woke up to a post about the bombings and attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. What was going to be a rather lengthy Facebook share, I decided would be better suited here. It is heartbreaking. Here is where the Holy Spirit has led my thoughts this morning.

As a Christian, walking and living out my faith alongside a living God, I know we have a message of hope, peace, faith, and reckless love. My God weeps over the loss of ALL lives (even those who did the attacking in this) as hard as that can be for me to fathom in my own broken humanity. The tragedy here (outside of the obvious) is in the minds that took the seeds planted inside already darkened hearts from the enemy of their souls. Those who believed stealing life and peace from others in this way was a worthwhile idea — “the theif seeks only to kill, steal, and destory…” (John 10:10) .

Y’all, Satan doesn’t want ANYONE in this world (past, present, or future) to have the abundant life God offers us through His Son Jesus Christ; doesn’t want anyone to know The God that created them for inimate, loving relationship with The Word of Life, Maker of the heavens and the earth and all that is in it. The enemy exists, but that enemy isn’t what you or I can see. The enemy isn’t who these attacks can be pinned on to further spur hatred of one group over another in this world, and we must remember that truth.

Who are you aligning with in your daily walk? Is it The Holy Spirit or is it a spirit of that which has come only to steal, kill and destroy? Do you know peace in Christ in the midst of tragedy or chaos? Or do you read stories like this in our world today and find hatred in your own heart for people; for God?

The root of that hatred is only from the enemy of our souls, so weed it out quickly my friends. The thief, knowing he already lost at Calvary, still seeks to deceive in this generation just as he did in the generations before and those yet to come. Let us not forget the battle has already been won! We must start from a root of LOVE. As a Christian, I know the enemy will never lessen the hope of what has already been fulfilled in Jesus on the cross! Resurrection (Easter) Sunday will still always be a message of victory for the Kingdom of God.

The message of a living God, a living hope, cannot be destroyed. Be strong and courageous my brothers and sisters across the world as we mourn the loss of innocent lives in a country that has been seeking peace for a decade following its civil wars. Remember the words of Jesus Christ: “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Prayer is not lost and provides the best offense and defense for a life starting at love. Take a moment today and pray for all those hurting in Sri Lanka. You are not alone. The body of Christ is with you everywhere.

Instead of spreading the hate and hopelessness you may feel – do not give the devil a foothold today in the wake of this tragedy. We are instructed: “In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold…Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:26-29