I jokingly blame a lot of things on my older brother, Scott. Being five years older than me, he loved to tease his little “see-ster.” For example, when I was in elementary school, I thought my nose was too big. Being a a gullible blond, I believed Scott when he said that my nose would get smaller if I would exercise it. I wiggled and wiggled my nose but it never lost any weight.

Scott was interested in everything military-related.  He had two uncles in the Air Force, which fueled his fascination.  Scott spent his time making model fighter jets and drawing ships and wearing camo and playing “war.”  We watched a lot of Hogan’s Heroes.  And in the seventies and early eighties, the US and Russia were in the midst of the Cold War, so Scott talked a lot about Russia and imminent threat of nuclear war.

To a second grader, the prospect of nuclear war terrified me. And rightfully so.

But as I got older and outgrew my clothing and baby dolls, I did not outgrow my fear of nuclear war.  I lived as if Russia would enter the code and start a nuclear war any minute. I would imagine the bombs falling from the sky as I drove down the road while running errands.

To me, nuclear holocaust was always just one hasty decision away.

This looming fear kept me awake late into the night.

Would the bombs fall when Brian was at work, separating us?
Would we die immediately or from radiation poisoning or starvation?
How would I take care of my children?

And strangely, I often wondered if I would be wearing my contacts or my glasses when it happened because if the world turned into an endless episode of Survivor, I wanted to be able to see.  Thanks, brother.  LOL

It wasn’t until I was into my thirties and was introduced to deliverance ministry (also called SOZO or inner healing) that Jesus freed me from my phobia of nuclear war. I thank God that I’ve been free from that fear for about fifteen years.

In 2018, I don’t need a military-crazy older brother to keep the prospect of nuclear war before me. I read it every day in the news.  These are the headlines:

North Korea: ‘Nuclear war may break out any moment’ (Fox News, 10/16/17)

North Korea: Trump is ‘begging for nuclear war’ (CNN, 12/2/17)

Trump and Kim Jong Un are going to lead the world into war if they don’t stop insulting each other, experts say  (Newsweek, 1/11/18)

North Korea says that war with the United States is inevitable.

And I look out my bedroom window and wonder what that will look like and I ask myself familiar questions. Do we have enough food on hand? Will neighbors help each other or be cutthroat? Should I buy more water? Would we go to my mom’s house in the mountains or my dad’s house in the country.  My dad is well-armed.

But this time, as I ponder these questions, I have some maturity under my belt and a hard-earned perspective. I’m concerned, for sure, but I’m not terrified. I’m not losing any sleep. I’m not thinking of endless horrible scenarios. I’m not even worried about wearing my contacts or glasses.

Because I know that in the end, it’s all going to be okay.

We may be injured, and we may suffer, and it may break my heart to see my children struggle, but the Moore family is headed to heaven. That will be the end of the trail for us.

All that Kim Jong-un can do to me is give me a one-way ticket into the presence of Jesus.Click To Tweet

There ain’t nothing wrong with that. If that happens, I may be sad that I won’t get to see my daughter get married or watch my son graduate from college. I may never hold a grandchild. But it will be okay.

Because being with Jesus trumps EVERYTHING, even the pain and suffering of the journey to get there.

I am reminded of 2 Timothy 4:18:

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.

God will bring us safely into His heavenly kingdom.  In the end, friend, it’s all going to be okay.

Whatever it is that scares you today, whether it is nuclear war or boarding an airplane or getting cancer, in the end, it’s all going to be okay. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He is busy preparing a home in heaven for you.

This earth is not our true home…It is just a rest stop along the road to eternity.

What about you?  How are you handling all of the scary news about nuclear war?

P. S. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and the prospect of nuclear war terrifies you, I would love to answer any questions that you have and pray for you.  Email me at Lisa@CelebratingWeakness.com.  

Sharing is caring. If this post encouraged you, will you share it on Facebook so that it could bless your friends,too? Thanks for helping me to reach more struggling women with encouragement, hope, and grace.