Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6–7

What kind of world do we build when we choose mercy over revenge?

On June 17, 2015, a 21-year-old white supremacist entered Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and opened fire during a Bible study. Nine Black worshippers were killed—including Ethel Lance, the mother of Nadine Collier.

At the shooter’s first court hearing, the victims’ families were invited to speak. Many expected anger, condemnation, and rage. Instead, Nadine stood before the man who had taken her mother’s life and said words that stunned the courtroom:

“You took something very precious from me, but I forgive you. You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people. But may God have mercy on your soul.”

Her response wasn’t born of denial or weakness. It came from a place of deep conviction—a peace that defied logic. Nadine chose not to let hatred define her. She chose forgiveness.

This moment invites all of us—regardless of belief—to consider what forgiveness makes possible. It doesn’t erase pain or injustice, but it breaks the cycle of vengeance. It frees the wounded from being chained to their wounds. It opens a path toward healing, even when the world feels shattered.

For the Charleston survivors, their grief became a testimony. Their forgiveness became a quiet resistance to hatred. And their faith became a source of strength that many still struggle to understand.

Philippians 4:6–7 teaches that the path from anxiety to peace is prayerful trust in God. When we surrender our worries to Him with gratitude, His peace — beyond all comprehension — fills and steadies our hearts in Christ Jesus.

“Forgiveness may not change the past—but it can transform the future.”