Becky Hunter Kelm shares a reflection on the only thing we can truly do when fear and uncertainty overwhelm us: fix our eyes on God. Her words remind us that even in moments when we feel powerless and don’t know what to do, turning our gaze toward the Lord anchors our hearts in His faithfulness.
Just over a week ago, I was queuing to check in my bag for a return flight from Rome to Istanbul, where I live, when I heard. “I’m sorry sir, all flights to Iran and the Middle East are cancelled.” The man in front of me in the line physically slumped. I felt so sorry for him, and the airport was busier than usual with a sense of tension in the air, as many passengers realised they would not be able to get home that night.
That morning, the US attacked Iran, launching a huge military operation, some strikes of which later killed the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as hundreds of Iranians.
Since then, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions and stress, watching the news of Iran’s retaliation throughout last week. Israel, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and others experienced strikes, and both local civilians and American military personnel were killed. At least 153 people, including children, were also killed after a strike hit a school in southern Iran. It has been incredibly painful to hear these updates, and God’s heart breaks for every life lost.
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I have many Iranian friends both here in Türkiye and in Iran (including my 9-year-old son’s best friend). My friend’s husband in Iran has not heard from his family in Iran all week, and they are waiting in agony, praying for good news. I text prayers to my other Christian Iranian friends who live here. My other son’s best friend flew back to Istanbul from Dubai at the last minute yesterday, as schools have closed.
Other friends of ours are in nations closer to the conflict.
Other friends of ours are in nations closer to the conflict. We keep in touch via a prayer WhatsApp group. Some friends have limited electricity, so I can’t even offer a FaceTime call, as they try to get on with daily life as missiles fly overhead. One family is on standby to evacuate if things escalate much further, and their kids are devastated at the thought that they may have to leave their beloved dog behind.
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Whilst Türkiye is not directly involved in the conflict, a missile was intercepted over the southeastern border of Türkiye in the second part of the week. Like the rest of my Turkish friends, I am afraid. I am scared these attacks will spill over into the country I am living in. It already feels far too close, and I struggle to focus on my work, scroll Al Jazeera’s Instagram news feed far too much, and have been snappy and irritable with the ones I love most-my family.
Things have escalated quickly, and from one day to the next, men, women, and children have gone from living their normal work and school routines to being on high alert for bombs and drone strikes. It is real, and it is terrible.
The very week before this war started, I sat under the teaching of an older, powerful woman of God who had ministered all over the world.
The very week before this war started, I sat under the teaching of an older, powerful woman of God who had ministered all over the world. She preached on Chronicles 20:5-12, where King Jehoshaphat prayed a desperate, faithful prayer for deliverance when a vast army threatened Judah.
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In his moment of being frozen in fear, Jehoshaphat acknowledged God’s sovereignty, remembered His past faithfulness, and admitted, ‘We are powerless… we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you,’
As I sat listening to this sermon just 10 days ago, little did I know that, just a few days later, I would need these scriptures to cling to. King Jehoshaphat was alarmed. He was scared, just like I am. But he resolved to enquire about the Lord. He fixed his eyes on Him. The only thing I can do living in a nation that is a neighbour to the war in the Middle East, is to admit I don’t know what to do, fix my eyes on Jesus and continually debrief in prayer. The only solution for my quivering heart, my full mind, and tense shoulders…is to delve into all I am facing and feeling with God. I walk by the sea shouting my prayers (I do turn some heads). I journal my prayers in the morning. One night this week, as church leaders, we gathered in our lounge and poured out our desperate prayers to the God who hears us.
Another quote from the talk from the precious auntie last week that stayed with me was: ‘Stresses and traumas are only unexpected by us! God knows what is going to happen. He is purposeful and He is Good.’
I have to choose peace. My life is in His hands, and He has a purpose for my family. As we go into the second week of this conflict, we’ll follow the wisdom of trusted leaders, keep our eyes on the LORD, and stand firm.
Won’t you take a moment and stand with me and pray for the countless people in this troubled region? Pray for peace in Iran and the other nations in the Middle East. Pray that Jesus would draw near to each man, woman, and child caught up in this conflict, and that it would end soon.
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