Look at her eyes. What do you see? I perceive a lovely young woman in the grip of pain and cruelty. At the end of this piece you will see a contemporary pic of her. You will note that her pain remains, but seems more…complex…seasoned…hardened.

“An Afghan refugee who appeared on the iconic June 1985 cover of National Geographic was arrested in Pakistan on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 for allegedly possessing a fraudulent Pakistani ID card, according to multiple reports.

Sharbat Gula, the subject of the famed ‘Afghan Girl’ photographed by Steve McCurry was taken into custody in Peshawar, a city where thousands of Afghan refugees settle, the Associated Press reported. She is being held at Peshawar’s Central Jail, and could face seven to 14 years in prison if convicted for the forged identification card, according to NPR.” http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/afghan-girl-in-national-geographics-iconic-pic-arrested-w446960

When does the pain end for this woman, when does it end for you?

Psalm 64

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2 

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.

3 

They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

4 

They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5 

They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, “Who will see it[b]?”

6 

They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7 

But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.

8 

He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9 

All people will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.

10 

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!

David is assaulted by threat and politicians that hate him. Cruel conspirators craft corruption for the King. 6 of 10 verses complain to God about the threat surrounding David.  Again.

How does one live with ongoing cruelty?  Traumatic events change the structure and function of the brain. The portion of the brain responsible for self awareness, conflict resolution, and morality can be literally disabled by constant threat.  Depression results.  Addictions flourish. Trauma can become cemented in our neurology.

“But God….”  God prevails in pain.  God restores integrity.  All will revere Him and reflect .  The one made right by God can hide from terror in Him.  The upright heart reflects God’s love and justice in the midst of painful people and politics.

David found strength in the truth of God not in the persecution of politicians.

Here is a beautiful prayer…

God, why do I storm heaven for answers that are already in my heart? Every grace I need has already been given me. Oh, lead me to the Beyond within. — Macrina Wiederkehr

David did not calculate his life by the depth and breadth of threat and violence but by reverence, refuge in, and reflection of the love and presence of God.

What are the threats on your radar?  Can you center your life not on the evil around you but the love of God within you?  Can you love Him, reflect Him, and revere Him in the perfect plans of the politicians? Can you go “beyond” with Him in the threat?

Anonymous (2011-02-17). Answers in the Heart: Daily Meditations For Men And Women Recovering From Sex Addiction (Hazelden Meditation Series) (p. 5). Hazelden Publishing. Kindle Edition