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thrashmetaljunkie Captain
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 Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:43 pm
Alright so as you all know, I have been absent for some time. Between work and being off and on homeless, it has been a rough road for me this past year. The roughest part possibly being the shooting in Columbia mall (for those of you that don't know about it, I will explain further on the topic) because I was working there that day.
I had just gotten into work (I was working at the Teavanna there) I was right at the gate when I heard the first shot. Ignoring it, thinking it was just one of the construction guys dropping a piece of plywood, I kept about my job. Then it happened again, and again. People were screaming "Someones shooting!" It was pure chaos for a few minutes. I rushed to close the gate to find out it was broken, and couldn't be locked from the inside. Accepting how bad that sucked, I then rushed the one customer in the store and my coworkers into the backroom. We turned off the lights and the radio and just sat in darkness. I then also realized the back door is just a swinging door, and there is no rear exit out of the store. So naturally, i looked for anything in the back that I could use as a weapon, in hopes that my 15 years of martial arts training just MIGHT kick in if this gun totting manic decides he wants to see if someone is in Teavanna, because the gate isnt even closed all the way. I found a knife, and urged everyone to turn their phones to silent. No one listened, and their phones were just going off over and over again. So i called 911 just in case no one else had already. Meanwhile I had NO clue what was going on outside. If this man or woman still had more rounds for their gun. What kind of gun it was. Was it a hand gun? was it a shot gun? semi-auto assault rifle? I had no idea, only that people were most likely shot. Then my idiot GM decides it would be cool to leave the backroom to go open the gate completely, and walk out into the damn mall to see what is going on. Right then and there, I knew we were dead because this moron didnt want to listen to me. She then comes back and proceeds to tell us how tragic it is because everyone left all their stuff and ran. Um, yeah, DUH what did you think they were going to do? We sat for thirty minutes before we saw a single police officer. and then sat for another hour before the State S.W.A.T came and got us out. For those of you that don't know of the shoot, 2 people were murdered, and the gunman killed himself after killing those two and injuring another. I thought I was fine, but I think I have some PTSD. I cant trust people/strangers. I feel the need to always have a weapon with me now. I'm terrified if it happens again, I wont have the means to protect anyone, just like then. I need some prayer to deal with this PTSD. That I can go in public again without feeling like I need something with me...
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:44 pm
Wow, that's terrifying. I'm really sorry that that happened to you. Your presence of mind In a situation like that is astonishing to me. I'm pretty sure I'd be a wreck. I'll be sending prayers of healing your way. Might I suggest, though, looking into some counseling. If your healthcare package doesn't cover a councelor, sometimes free clinic doctors are dispatched after traumatic events like that to provide at least some kind of aftercare. Peace be with you, man. Everything is going to be just fine.
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High-functioning Werewolf
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:57 am
Take this to heart: Quote: Matthew 10:28 (NIV) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. I don't know what's going on in your head, but: have you tried praying to God the moment you have anxious thoughts about having to protect your own life and needing to protect someone elses'? praying until he gives his peace? First of all, God can do a better job at protecting us. It may not even be necessary for you to resort to physical force (and I see that the New Testament is against self-defense in favor of martyrdom, shouting for help or running away). Are you seriously trusting in a sharp object, fashioned by humans hands, more than trusting in God's ability to protect you? And if God chooses not to protect you or someone else, why go against his will?
Quote: 2 Chronicles 18:31-32 (NIV) 31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him, 32 for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.
Quote: John 18:11 (NIV) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Second, if the person in front of you is giving you anxiety and you can't trust them, remind yourself then and there, "God will not allow this person to do me harm without his permission, especially if I cry out to him", pray for protection from your enemies (perceived or actual) and for God to help you avoid falling into the traps of those who wish to do you harm; pray about everything like we're advised to do.
Quote: Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Quote: 1 Peter 3:12 (NIV) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Quote: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV) 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thank God that it was only three victims, Thank God that you survived and that now you have more time to praise him and save souls. Thank God that the shooting even happened in the first place (because he uses all circumstances to draw us closer to him). Question though: (something I even asked myself) are you as serious about saving people's souls as you are about saving their earthly life? Because you can extend their earthly life all you want, but if their soul isn't reconciled to God, and they died unrepentant and without Jesus as their atonement sacrifice, there's no guarantee that they're written in the book of life. And if they're not written in the book of life come judgment day, after their resurrection from the dead, they're getting cast into the lake of fire. Some food for thought.
Third, as long as you're confiding in God, even if you die (like Stephen who got stoned to death by his own people), it's not going to work out badly for you. Remember, that the disciples were persecuted when they were taking the gospel around, makings the rounds to all the synagogues (and so Pharisees, their own brethren, would often make attempts on their life and they still kept going). If they were suffering from PTSD, they ignored those anxious thoughts and must've continued on, doing what was right, not what "felt" right. Doing the will of God isn't always what appeals logically to the carnal man, and more often than not has you rejecting dependence on physical weapons. There is risk involved in the life of a Christian. I didn't see self-defense all throughout the Book of Acts (which is what I'm referring to about disciples getting stoned to death); they either ran away, invoked legal help, but never hand-to-hand "I'mma stab you/shoot you up" combat. And I don't say this to guilt trip you, but to help you honestly assess the situation: just whose example are you following right now? The only reason we still should want to be alive is to save people's souls, otherwise, we're longing to be with Christ.
Some more helpful verses for you to apply and speak to your soul: Quote: Philippians 1:21-24 (NIV) 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Quote: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Quote: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19 (NIV) 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. I know I already cited it, but it bears repeating. Plus I included the surrounding verses. No matter how foolishly people acted, don't meet their foolishness with the same treatment back: insults for insult, murder for murder, means we're just devouring each other with hate.
Quote: Psalm 3 (NIV) Psalm 3[a] A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. 1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”[b ] 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. 7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. 8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Footnotes: a. Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9. b. Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:44 pm
heart Never fear in the light of the Lord and the way will be presented unto you. I'm sorry if that's like crappy and vague, it's just how I feel about it. smile
Been in a few crazy situations myself. smile heart
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:25 am
That's a really intense situation
You ought to thank God for your life, for all matters are in His hands.
"If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear God, the cherisher of the worlds. (The Noble Quran, 5:2 cool "
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