Is Post Election Violence Inevitable?

Nena Arias | October 26, 2020

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
(1 Peter 3:9)

We all have to decide firmly that regardless of the outcome of this general election we will contain our emotions and just work that much harder to reclaim the foundation this country was built upon.

The disarray we are living at present in America comes to all nations from time to time. This is nothing new. Though it is more frequent in other nations of the world, we here in the United States are not exempt from causing our own turmoil and living through it. It feels strange though because we had never lived through such widespread conflict and intensity as we are living through now. The America we have known has definitely changed and not for the good I must say. So, we are facing a new reality for us.

The escalation of unrest has been brewing in the nation for the previous four years when Donald Trump won the presidential election of 2016. The opposing side never accepted it and began scheming, even before the inauguration, on ways to remove him from office by relentlessly placing roadblocks and attacks of all sorts against him and his administration. This is so obvious it is undeniable. Those of us who have been watching are amazed at the way he has withstood such heavy bombardment and is still seemingly standing strong. This is due to two things: God’s choosing of him for such a time as this and the preparation and life experiences he has accumulated. But the most important of all is the constant prayer for him on a daily basis. He is probably the person most prayed over in the world because not only Americans pray for him but people in other nations as well, we have learned. Believers also know that God is in control regardless of the circumstances.

There is only one way to squelch violence. We must combat it the proper way, it is not by dumping more fuel on the fire. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

God’s Word admonishes us not to be violent or quarrelsome. Settling disputes with violence should never be the first recourse, it will only make matters worse. Proverbs 3:31 says, “Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.” Psalm 11:5 reminds us: The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”

The reality is that in a country like America, we have allowed this chaos to happen. We took our eyes off of our real values and fell asleep at the switch. But I still believe there is hope for America even though we very well may be on the edge of an abyss where we are either in danger of falling over or walking away from the edge of destruction. It is our reality.

Authorities are bracing for possible massive election riots regardless of the outcome of these elections. Either way, it’s touch-and-go. If we hope to squelch the violence, we must earnestly seek God through prayer for our country. It is the only solution. If not, we will have a disastrous outcome.  We will not be the exception; God is not mocked.

It is of great concern that the NSSF, which is the trade association for the firearm industry, has reported that almost 5 million first-time gun buyers purchased guns in the first seven months of 2020. 40% of all gun sales were purchases by those who have never owned a firearm.

Lawrence G. Keane, the NSSF Senior Vice President of General Counsel said: “This is a tectonic shift in the firearm and ammunition industry marketplace and complete transformation of today’s gun-owning community.”  

The largest increase of any demographic group buying guns is among women. Retailers say in March, there was a record-setting firearms sale of 2.3 million. There are more guns than people in the United States (400 million are in circulation for a population of 330 million). In just the first six months of 2020 alone, approximately 19 million firearms have been sold, representing more than one firearm for every 20 Americans on top of what we already own. What does that tell you? It definitely tells us that people are getting ready for what may ensue after the election.

May God help us to seek his face while he may be found. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

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