Why We Should Remember

EDITOR'S NOTE: I originally wrote this piece in 2014, specifically to encourage teens to learn about and be aware of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. Understanding and remembering the vile things from history helps us learn how to move forward in our own lives and advocate for a better future. I've updated this in light of the state of the world in 2025.

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding..." —Proverbs 3:13

Growing up, I had little understanding of the Vietnam War, presidential assassinations, or the Holocaust—not to mention the countless atrocities that have occurred throughout the world's history. Many of these tragedies happened outside of my lifetime, outside my scope of knowledge, and beyond my cognition. That doesn't mean they didn't happen or weren't significant.

Some of the first things that came into my field of focus happened while I was a teenager and into my 20s. One of these was when a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing (1945) visited my history class. Another was the first significant school shooting I'd ever heard of (1999). And I have distinct memories of a massive terrorist attack on the United States (2001).

As years went by, I learned that these sorts of things happen all the time in other countries—that a visceral fear of bombing or other violence was only new to me. But for many, many other people around the world, this was...just...daily life. My heart aches when I think of how awfully sheltered and unaware I was as a teenager.

Primed for Change

When we're living through those early decades of growing and "becoming," we start seeing the world outside of our families, our schools, and our general lives. And it's vital that we take note of the things that are bigger than we are. Why? So that we don't make the same mistakes as those who hate, hurt, and oppress others.

"What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws. They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and take advantage of orphans." —Isaiah 10:1-2 (NLT)

Christ calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), to love (John 13:34), to help (Luke 6:38), to treat others as we'd like to be treated (Matthew 7:12), and to show compassion (Matthew 14:14). Jesus is our greatest example for how we ought to live our lives, so we need to follow His example (John 13:15). And when evil and tragic things happen, we have the opportunity to respond differently than the rest of the world (Romans 12:2).

We may not have control over the choices of evildoers, but we DO have control over the actions WE take each day when we awaken (2 Timothy 1:7).

"For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." —Proverbs 24:16

Why We Remember

As a young person, it's important to be cognizant of and informed about atrocities such as school shootings, terrorist attacks, assassinations, genocide, etc. It can be scary, anxiety-inducing, and overwhelming, yes. And we DO encourage you to take care of yourself and your mental health when it comes to how much news you take in—especially on social media. That said, we must not hide from the world's tragedies.

God allows us to record history so we can learn from it (1 Corinthians 10:11). It's good to glean wisdom from events that happen in different times and places. Find reputable sources that explain what happened truthfully. Ask God for wisdom and discernment as you sift through all the information (James 1:5). Pray that the Holy Spirit will show you how to apply the events to your own life.

"Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." —2 Peter 1:5-8

How We Change

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." —James 1:2-4

One of the things I remember distinctly from the days following September 11, 2001, is the sense of a common love for fellow human beings, an unspoken agreement to be kinder to one another, more peaceful. Strangers held doors open, let others go first, freely gave of their resources, met each other's eyes with compassion, and seemed to realize that life was about more than petty differences and disagreements. Life was more than taking what you could get. Life was about giving of yourself to others.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" —Acts 20:35

My friends, do not dismiss the horrors we see today nor those of the past. Use this knowledge to change the way you move through this world. You have the incredibly awesome and huge privilege of shaping the future with your life—with the way you speak, the way you act, and the way you love.

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." —1 Peter 4:11

ALSO SEE:

• Why do bad things happen?
• Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?
• What does the Bible say about hate?
• Who is Jesus?
• How can I be a good Christian?
• What is the Christian life like for a teen?
• What does the Bible say about mental health?
• What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?
• How can I live in the world not of the world?
• How can I control myself?
• What is spiritual discernment?
• How can I overcome feelings of being overwhelmed?
• Should Christians use social media?