Many Christians live normal lives. Their battles aren’t usually physical, happening under the surface against an unseen dark force. This can manifest itself in depression and anxiety. The force behind our torment can cause us to withdraw from those around us. Sometimes, it can even cause us to stray from God.
But some Christians’ trials are physical. Christians in ancient times were crucified just like Jesus, and some were thrown into a gladiator and fight forced to fight against wild beasts. Crucifixions and gladiator fights are illegal these days, and so is holding hostages, but not everyone follows the rules.
After visiting an orphanage in Haiti, a group of missionaries was kidnapped in October by a gang called the 400 Mawozo. The group, consisting of men, women, and children, including an eight-month-old baby, was held in captivity for almost two months before being released in early December.
As of the writing of this article, no specific news has been released, especially pertaining to the possibility of a ransom. Christian Aid Ministries has requested that the now-freed hostages and their families be left free to heal from the emotional and mental scars left by their ordeal.
Because battles do leave long-term damage. Though many movies and books portray a battle as a one-and-done, battles have long-term repercussions, wounds that don’t heal instantly. The wounds will probably continue to fester in the minds of the former hostages, and their spiritual battle is far from over.
So while many people may praise that the crisis is over, we as Christians know that it has only begun. The Enemy isn’t done. He’s going to manifest himself in the lives of the hostages as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But if the Enemy isn’t done, then Christians aren’t either.
The Enemy is no longer physical. We can’t reason with him, we can’t punch him. But we can pray. Pray for healing and peace. Because that’s what will hurt the Enemy the most. Prayer is our spiritual weapon.
So while we live our normal lives, pray for the hostages who didn’t get to live a normal life. Pray for healing, for peace. And pray for the kidnappers, because God loves them too.
Sources: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/december/kidnapped-haiti-missionaries-free-17-released-christian-aid.html