So it’s coming down to the wire for the presidential election, and especially as the debates get heated I’m beginning to see more opinions emerge. Some people are for Hillary Clinton and some are for Donald Trump, but a large many are not for either candidate. I can get that. After all, the man I hoped and prayed to occupy the Whitehouse has since dropped out, and I’m left with what many describe as picking the lesser of two evils. Sigh.
The thing is I can’t morally stand behind so many of Clinton’s policies, so she’s a definite out. On the other hand it bothers me deep in my spirit some of the opinions that cross Trump’s lips. The best way I’ve come to describe it is “Trump doesn’t Christian the way I Christian.” In other words, many of his remarks are spoken without a Christ-filter, or what you’ve more commonly heard described as “what would Jesus do.”
So where does that leave me?
I know a lot of people in the same boat as myself and I can’t help but wonder when they say “I’m not voting for either one” will they be placing a ballot for the Independent Party? I would hope they wouldn’t sit out completely as rocking back and forth saying “woe is me” has never solved a thing, but then again I fear the misplacement of too few Third Party Candidate votes. Wouldn’t normally Republican votes placed on a Third Party Candidate sway the race to the Democratic side? I am certainly no political expert, but I definitely wouldn’t want that. But I digress.
Here’s the thing that’s really bothering me. With the feeling that neither of the majority candidates are suitable for the Oval Office I am seeing a common phrase pop up on my social media and it rocks me to the core. It is so stifled in a spirit of defeat and surrender that it makes me want to roll up into a ball and cry myself! Somewhere along the line we’ve gone blind to what matters most in life, and though our healthcare reform, taxes, immigration, and abortion are incredibly, incredibly important matters, they don’t measure up to the truth.
So here’s the most common phrase making social media circuits at this time regarding the presidential election.
We are doomed!
Seriously. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen that in someone’s Facebook status I would be richer than Donald Trump, but since we’re doomed anyways I might as well just crawl into a corner and die. Since the majority of American Christians have decided to place their lives in the hands of human-being leaders I suppose we truly are headed towards a collapse of epic proportion. Since American Christians are placing their hope on a Presidential Candidate to save them I guess we’re all bound to lose.
Listen, I know it’s hard. This country is not what it used to be, and I’m completely aware of that. I’m not an ostrich with my head in the sand nor a Pollyanna personality. But I am a child of God. Sometimes I liken this country to a frog in a pot. We’ve been slowly brought to a boil over time and therefore don’t even realize we’re being cooked to death, but I still haven’t lost my hope.
In fact, I would never say we are doomed. We may be down, but we’re not out, and if you believe what you read in the Bible then you know who’s gonna win this thing in the end. There’s always hope in Jesus. And by golly, look around; this country is still pretty great!
Yes, God brings judgment, and I’ve read about Sodom and Gomorrah too, but then I remember God’s patience with Abraham.
The Lord agreed to spare Sodom if fifty righteous men could be found there, but Lot wasn’t so sure and kept bargaining God down.
“What about 45?” Abraham asked.
And God agreed.
“What about 40?” Abraham persisted.
And God agreed again. In fact, God continued to show His mercy in light of His people present there amongst evil, and though we all know how the story ended, the point is God was willing to show grace if His people would just seek His face. He was gonna spare the whole kit and caboodle for just ten. Do you think He wouldn’t do the same for you?
I don’t know, but when I pray about our country I tell God there’s still good people here who love Him and follow His statutes, and I feel very strongly that He will deliver His children from evil. It’s that hope and knowledge of His goodness that keeps my hope alive, and in that hope I never feel doomed.
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
So I say this out of brotherly love to my fellow believers. Please, please stop saying we are doomed. Stop feeling defeated, hopeless, and helpless in our Country’s current situation. Remember that God is in control and He is on the throne. You can be politically concerned all you want, and I hope you’ll step out boldly and cast your vote for a leader who will not defy your strong moral standing. But whatever you do, don’t forget who wins overall.
Here’s a hint: it’s not the devil.
Gwen Woodard says
Christians will have the final victory because God is still on the throne!!
Our lives-His Purposes, Ruthie's impressions says
Amen! my favorite two words are, “But God!”
amy says
Well said.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Stacey Posey says
Thanks for this reminder of how we all should have a better eternal perspective. Sharing too!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Dave Parsons says
This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through! These are some of the words of one of the old songs of the church I remember hearing my mother sing as she held me on her lap on an old wooden pew in a church in Fitzgerald, Georgia when I was like maybe 4 or 5! We are just passing through looking for the hope of our permanent home but as citizens of this country we must do our duty to vote! Trump was never my favorite and the man that was could of done some serious surgery, if you get my drift, to cut into the corruption that I believe has now woven itself so deep into our government! It has always been there to some extent but now it seems it is openly winked at and celebrated by the elected and a lot of the electorate! If I don’t have to work for it then I will vote for the one who will give it to me regardless of their character or what they are doing to tear apart the moral fiber of our government and country! I was listening to David Barton this morning tell of how God used pagan kings to perform the things that He wanted done in order for His will to be done! God can use Trump regardless of his brand of Christianity or lack thereof! I can’t figure out where he stands in his relationship to God but I do think he will be there to defend our right as Christians to assemble, take our bibles to school and all the things that the democrats & some in the republican party seem to be behind as far as putting Christians in a box! I’m also happy that Ben Carson is there to advise Trump plus Trump also has evangelical leaders to advise him. So vote! We know what we will get with Hillary but with Trump we do have hope that he will do all he can to pick justices that honor the constitution and honor God or at least not do anything to harass those of us who do!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Sounds like we’re of the same mind. I always enjoy your comments!
Dave Parsons says
Amen! So proud of you and others in your age group serving God! My children and grandchildren honor God too! Praise God!
Kit says
I want to say that I am politically not of the same mind frame as you, but I do agree that we are not doomed. I am wondering, however, why Hillary Clinton is immediately not an option for you? I also find certain issues with supporting her, but not only is Donald Trump’s stance on abortion not consistent, he is also not a devoted Christian, nor does he display what I would consider Christian morality, nor do I see him taking advice from other Evangelicals, such as Mike Pence. I do not intend to be condescending or disrespectful, but I just try to see where other people’s views are coming from during this election season.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for the comment. There are many reasons Hillary is a no for me. For example, you mention that Trump’s stance on abortion is inconsistent, but Hillary’s is clear. I happen to be extremely conservative and many of the issues she supports are a definite “no” in my Book.
Dave Parsons says
Tried to reply directly to Kit but couldn’t get the “Reply” button under her name to respond! Her reply of “nor do I see him, Trump, taking advice from other Evangelicals” is confusing as I remember hearing Dr. James Dobson who was head of Focus on the Family and I think he founded it, do a good replying as to his feelings on supporting Trump and it can be further clarified at the following link— http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/whos-who-of-trumps-tremendous-faith-advisors.html