Keep Your Heart Fresh ~ Be Careful of Desensitization

There are so many pictures. The devastation and atrocities continue. Mr. Putin pushes forward further from three directions into Ukraine. As he does, the carnage grows greater. Reports from the ground include war crimes against him and the Russian forces. They have targeted schools, hospitals, and even ambulances. We care. Yet, we can only take so much evil. In this article, I explain how to keep your heart fresh. We must be careful of desensitization as we follow and care about this story – specifically these people. 

Something You Can Think that Helps

As you engage all the pictures and see the stories from the invasion, intentionally responding to what you see with help you keep your heart fresh toward the people, the evil that you distain, and the desire for justice without either desensitization or overheating on anger.

1. Remember, these are people in the image of God.

Every person in this conflict is a fellow human in the image of God. Sin against them in attitude, word, or actions is sin against the image of God in man. As we see these things on screen, we want to remember that these dear people are just like us. This carnage is against a nation; but also, the carnage is against individuals in the image of God.

2. You share the same ancestors.

As you see the images out of Ukraine, do not forget that these individual people share a common ancestry with you. You, them, and I all go back to Noah’s family in the Bible. Yes, that was a long time ago; however, we cannot ignore this fact. Further past that, we all go back to Adam and Eve, the world’s first parents. Here’s my point… when we see these people in suffering, we must connect with them at the most basic level. They are image bearers who share the same lineage as each one of us through Noah.

3. The Second Great Commandment reminds us to love our neighbors.

Throughout the New Testament, we are encouraged to love our neighbors as ourselves. These individuals participate in those the Bible would call our neighbors. Jesus told the Good Samaritan story to emphasize the point that any person can be our neighbor. As you engage the images and scenes, remember that these individuals fall under the command to love our neighbors.

4. Many of these people are also are brothers and sisters-in-Christ.

As we read these stories and look at the images, we also remember than many of these people are also going to heaven with us. Even those who are not, our desire is that they would be saved through this. Therefore, as we engage these things, we want to think in terms of fellow believers and those who need to be so.

Something You Can Do that Helps

As you see and hear the stories of the Ukrainians, what can you do in order to keep your heart sensitive toward those suffering?

1. Immediately pray.

You do not need to pray for a long time, just a word prayer will do. Of course you can do something longer, but it is not necessary. Something like:

“God, help these people.”

“Lord, please have mercy.”

“God, please defeat this evil.”

You want to connect your heart with God and the desire for evil to be overcome in the moment of seeing.

Furthermore, we want to pray for their eternal condition. Our greatest prayer is that God would grant many eternal life through this conflict as people in their turmoil hear the Gospel and turn to Jesus in repentance of their sin.

2. When specific, pray specific.

When you read a specific request from a missionary friend or someone you know, then take just a moment to read that request. Talk to God in prayer as you read. Call out the person’s name in your heart, or, if possible, with your voice. Ask specifically for something related to their request.

As you pray, do not just simply pray a situational prayer, also pray for their hearts. Pray that God would help strengthen them, encourage them, provide them courage, resolve, and other such prayers.

3. If you can give, then give in some way.

Many missionary organizations and relief organizations such as Convoy of Hope are receiving donations to help those in Ukraine. Manna is set to take truckloads of supplies through the western border of Ukraine today.