I never thought that I would be saddened by being the only person on the road, driving alone in the
street. Yet it happened! The day after I personally experienced a riot for the first time, on our doorstep.
street. Yet it happened! The day after I personally experienced a riot for the first time, on our doorstep.
The phrase “do not be afraid” appears in the Bible 365 times. One verse for every day of the year. One verse per day to calm your spirit and strengthen your faith. But how many verses (and prayers) you really need when you become afraid, will only be revealed the day that you have to face fear! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by 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
This week my beautiful home town was wrecked, strangled around her neck like a criminal. She became the guiltless victim to the anger of people who directed their annoyance with their government towards the wrong crowd. A crowd who had to experience trauma when the innocent was attacked. Innocent shop owners who work their fingers to the bone to make a living, who had to look at how protesters loot their shops. Innocent families who had the odds against them when they were attacked, but who were saved by God’s grace. Innocent children who had to listen to gun shots being fired, knowing their daddies are out there trying to protect them. Innocent old people who knew they stood no chance, and just prayed for God’s favor. Innocent mothers who locked themselves in their homes with their families and prayed that everything will be okay. Innocent men who left their houses behind to go and earn a hard day’s wage, just to get a phone call that their houses are being torched because they are not part of the riot. This was the fear of the innocent, and the fear of the courageous!
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You!” - Psalm 56:3 But this is also a testimony of faith. A firm believe that God is on the side of the believer. A protector of those who trust Him! Because He did calm our spirits, and He did give us the strength to get through us.
His angels encircled us, and sheltered everyone. God shielded the heroic men who protected their communities, the police who had to defend in the front line, the mothers & elderly who locked themselves inside, the shop owners, and all the other fearless soldiers not even mentioned here.
"Joy and Peace are so easily stolen by fear of the unknown. Though it was a dark day in this City, my heart still sings "You're the God of this City, You're the King of this nation. YOU ARE!" – Iriza Eichorn
My prayer for everyone who had to experience the trauma associated with the riots this week, is that peace and joy will be restored, and that love will prevail! Love for your neighbor, love for the government, and most of all God’s love towards all those who don’t deserve in our eyes to be loved.
Be blessed
Yolandi
This week my beautiful home town was wrecked, strangled around her neck like a criminal. She became the guiltless victim to the anger of people who directed their annoyance with their government towards the wrong crowd. A crowd who had to experience trauma when the innocent was attacked. Innocent shop owners who work their fingers to the bone to make a living, who had to look at how protesters loot their shops. Innocent families who had the odds against them when they were attacked, but who were saved by God’s grace. Innocent children who had to listen to gun shots being fired, knowing their daddies are out there trying to protect them. Innocent old people who knew they stood no chance, and just prayed for God’s favor. Innocent mothers who locked themselves in their homes with their families and prayed that everything will be okay. Innocent men who left their houses behind to go and earn a hard day’s wage, just to get a phone call that their houses are being torched because they are not part of the riot. This was the fear of the innocent, and the fear of the courageous!
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You!” - Psalm 56:3 But this is also a testimony of faith. A firm believe that God is on the side of the believer. A protector of those who trust Him! Because He did calm our spirits, and He did give us the strength to get through us.
His angels encircled us, and sheltered everyone. God shielded the heroic men who protected their communities, the police who had to defend in the front line, the mothers & elderly who locked themselves inside, the shop owners, and all the other fearless soldiers not even mentioned here.
"Joy and Peace are so easily stolen by fear of the unknown. Though it was a dark day in this City, my heart still sings "You're the God of this City, You're the King of this nation. YOU ARE!" – Iriza Eichorn
My prayer for everyone who had to experience the trauma associated with the riots this week, is that peace and joy will be restored, and that love will prevail! Love for your neighbor, love for the government, and most of all God’s love towards all those who don’t deserve in our eyes to be loved.
Be blessed
Yolandi