The Sword

[Grace-Like-Rain]

I am afraid of retaliation, and feeling personally unarmed. Zero, it's not about street cred, the point of the coalition was so that the US isn't the brunt of the military force there. Obama took troops out of Iraq not just so he could put them back in. Obama asked Canada in August to join in air strikes- it's not about us trying to gain experience flying And yeah we have a large population of Muslims here, but that doesn't say we're protected?! ISIS is currently brainwashing men to join them, many have left the country. I am not naïve enough to think that the there are not men still residing in this country with that ideology. My point in all this, is to say, I am concerned and feeling vulnerable and I am not quite sure what to do.

When it comes down to it, owning a gun isn't going to help you in this sort of situation... In the end it comes down to trusting God to protect you, and trusting the government (and citizens!) to be on the watch for any terrorist activities. We've come a long way in knowing how to spot suspicious activity and head it off. I'm sure your government has a close watch on undercurrents with those who may be suspect in Canada.

 

[arwen-undomiel]

arwen, I understand where you are coming from. All of us are becoming more and more vulnerable.

I pray some of these things will help you <3

- Trust the Lord. Nothing is going to happen to you that He doesn't know about. I know it sounds cliché, but it is absolutely true. Follow Him closely. Stand in the cleft of the Rock.

- As for what do to on a daily basis, the best thing I can tell you is to keep your head up. Pay attention to what is going on around you each and every day. Look people in the eye. Learn to read them well. Be observant for warnings. The brain is the most powerful weapon you have.

So often we don't use common sense. We become absorbed in our own little worlds. We keep our heads down. We walk around with earplugs and cellphones in our faces and ears. Even in our cars we are often completely ignorant of our surroundings. We are making ourselves vulnerable. We can't be doing that. We need to be paying attention.

- If you are not comfortable with a firearm, consider pepper sprays, tasers, etc.

- Get involved. If you see something suspicious, report it. It might not be anything (and we all hope it isn't), but if it IS something, you have helped tremendously.

Thanks for your reply aside from getting a gun- in which we cannot carry around in public in Canada, pepper spray, mace and tasers are illegal here because of misuse/ kids getting a hold of them, dying, etc. Nonetheless, thanks for your responses.

 

[ChandlerFan]

I do understand the concern about people leaving the country and joining ISIS, and those living in North America who might sympathize with the group, but the reality is that they are very few in number and the chances of you ever having a violent encounter with one of them are extremely low. I in no way intend to be morbid or a downer, but you really do have a significantly higher chance of dying in other ways.

GLR is right in saying that it really is just a matter of trusting God. I can't remember the name of the person, but there was a missionary once who basically told his captors that he had no fear of them because they could do nothing to him unless God permitted it. The same is true in this situation. Fear is the name of the game with these guys, and you can't let yourself get so wrapped up with it that you allow yourself to become too paranoid or fearful to live your life as you otherwise would.


This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget,
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
He is the ruler yet.