"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil" - Psalm 37:8 (NIV)
They were neighbours who couldn't get along. On February 3rd 2021, after a heavy snow fall, in Pennsylvania, US, Lisa and James Gois decided to clear mounds from their parking lot. Snow flakes when they fall tend to collect into small mounds which only melt away as the sun comes out.
The Gois started throwing the waste on to Jeffrey Spaide's ground, their neighbour, and he didn't like it. He strongly objected. An argument broke out and soon sprawled into a yard of expletives and obscene gestures being hurled back and forth.
Suddenly Spaide run to his house and came back with a pistol which he aimed at the couple. They dared him on. He fired, first at Lisa and then James! Both down, he went back to his house and pulled out a rifle. He went for his victims already on the ground and fired again rounds of bullet into their fallen bodies. Neighbours then called police. Once it arrived and before it could apprehend Spaide he took his life. In less than a hour you had three neighbours on the ground.
What do you think was the cause of this tragedy? It couldn't be the snow. Anger is certainly the chief cause. There are people out there holding an avalanche of issues and all you need is to scratch them a little bit and suddenly its fire. Many times the wise person decides to ignore, after all, as you see in this case, you have no idea how some might react. Too much anger can make people act irrationally.
Anger is a strong hold that can push down any life and hold it in its grip. It is important that none ends up bound with consuming anger. To release ourselves from this anger we need to surrender our lives to Christ. Scripture says, once we do, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, to you I surrender any issues of anger that might be affecting me that you liberate me from bitterness and flood me with your peace and joy!
Related upcoming events
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
