Article March 25, 2002 Issue

One small step out of terror

By Tony Lobl

DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, my mother wound up living in London as a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi Germany. She often told me of her admiration for the strength, courage, and humor of the British people while undergoing the blitz, especially during the times they spent literally underground, in the capital's tube—the subway stations of London that kept them safe during these devastating bombings.

I have never faced anything as intense as the Blitz. But a few years ago, as a Londoner, I lived through the Irish Republican Army's bombing campaign against Britain. I loved London, and I wasn't about to stay cooped up at home because of the malicious actions of a few. But bombs were regularly being planted on the transport system, including in the very Underground that my mum and others had fled to for refuge. I can still see myself, down in the tube station, thinking, "What if . . . ?" Terror is exactly the right word to describe what comes knocking at the door of thought in these circumstances.

I also recall getting beyond this dreadful time by focusing on what I understood to be the spiritual truth about the situation. It wasn't always easy to get past the relentless fear that evil might be imminent, but my prayer really made a difference. During these times, I might start my prayer by affirming that God was good and was in control. But my prayer would go beyond this to become an inner conviction that good is supreme. This confidence, gained spiritually, would bring me a deep sense of security.