Fighting

It's a violent world we live in.  Eventually, and more often than we'd like to, we cross paths with violent people who desire for whatever reason to inflict injury on us.  Usually it's just words.  The kind that indict the speaker of insecurity more so than cause any real damage, because we know who we are and whose we are (and only His opinion really matters).  When they do this, it's great, because they've identified themselves as a threat and we can distance ourselves from them - probably 99% of the time if we're smart, keep our cool and don't wait around for escalation.  But sometimes they cross the line and either force physical altercation on us or on someone we love and we simply must respond.

At times like these, it is permissible to fight.  It is okay to exert just enough force to subdue the attacker and stifle the threat.  We're under no mandate to stand and take a beating.  And certainly, if we're protecting someone else, the greater good (or lesser of two evils) is being sought.  Hopefully, both parties can walk away having learned a lesson from the encounter.

Sometimes the situation is life-threatening (ex- home invasion).  If they are armed with a deadly weapon, it is advisable to use deadly force rather than attempt to subdue them.  Don't wait for them to initiate (they already have if they're in your home) or simply try to injure them because you're afraid of ending a life.  Protect your family.  This is why I would recommend keeping a gun (or guns) in the home.  If you don't have a family, use your best judgement.  You may risk your life for a potentially better outcome if you choose.

I've been studying martial arts lately.  Not training - yet, just trying to understand the world of violence and how best to defend against it.  The best martial art would be a mix of many, because they all have strengths and weaknesses.  Probably the most peaceable and useful are wrestling/jiu jitsu because you attempt to take the attacker to the ground and neutralize them there with submission holds.  Trying to stand toe-to-toe swinging punches and kicks, you're just as likely to get KO'd as the other person (not a smart way of fighting).

I'll try to train you both in these disciplines, because they are useful for body conditioning and confidence building in addition to the self/others protection already mentioned.  Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Beyond this let me comment on a couple things.  Under NO circumstance is it okay to avenge yourselves or even others if the encounter has passed (Romans 12:19).  The government exists for that, and you know God will ultimately bring justice.  I see many young hot-heads who think they're good at fighting who then begin instigating fights to prove how tough/"manly" they are.  If you seek fights, you will die an early death.  Also, don't involve yourselves with fighting sports where it's essentially no different than human cock-fighting and women walk around half-nude to help promote it (ex- UFC).  Those events cater to the lustful/bloodthirsty.  That's not for us.  God holds us all to HIS standard.

Respect life, love your enemies, and try to keep His interests for us in mind, and you can't go too far wrong.

I love you guys!

Dad