Four years ago this past summer, I was going through a personal crisis with fear. I had input coming in from several sources that were pushing my mind to unhealthy thoughts causing crippling fear and anxiety. Plus, it was an election year … need I say more?? As someone who had never dealt with these feelings in my 50+ years, I was totally taken off-guard. I wrote about that a bit in Fear … Living in an Uncertain World and the tools I used to get my mind back to thoughts that were healthy and pure. Since then, I have learned to be much more pro-active, and this year, I am countering possible election fears with Words of Truth.
So last week, I had two podcasts come up that were speaking on the election. At first, I was like, “Nah … I’m good.” But then I just felt really prompted to listen to them. Neither were what I thought they were going to be and both reached me differently. The one I haven’t been able to get out of my mind is “The Next Right Thing” by Emily P. Freeman—I have referenced her podcast and book regularly My Favorite Podcasts – Words That Fill My Soul. She shared five mantras that are helping her make positive decisions leading up to this year’s election. Because they have stuck with me so much, I really wanted to share them with you and hope they help and encourage you in these current days as they did me.
- “Be who you needed to be when you were younger.” Emily cites Brad Montague with this saying. And I think it’s a thought that needs some time to mull over in your mind. Think back with me for a minute … visualize yourself during those maybe 10-16 year-old years. If big things (and we’ve had more than a few this year!) were going on in your world, what response from an adult would have helped you? Listening? Kindness? Companionship? Tell it like it is? Whatever that might have been for you, I guarantee there are those in your life who could use you to be that type of person for them--both children and your peers.
- “May we be people of peace with voices of hope, doing the hard work of love.” Emily credits Lacretia Berry with this saying. Loving others is not easy! Especially when their thoughts and opinions are vastly different from ours. But over and over in Scripture, God asks us to interact peacefully with others. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV) Is it within our power to hold our tongue for the sake of someone we love? It is … with God’s help and when we choose to follow Christ’s example.
- Seen on a T-shirt: “Be careful who you hate. It could be someone you love.” I have to say, this one stuck with me the most. We do not know what is going on in the lives of those in our circle...or who is listening in on our circle. When we are expressing our personal opinion on any subject, please do it in love. We all have our own beliefs on any number of controversial subjects, and it’s easy to get carried away in a conversation when you believe everyone in your circle is in agreement. But they may not always be … they may be dealing with heartache or pain relating to the topic you may be “bashing.” Let’s be people of compassion and love, no matter how strongly we feel about a particular action. In Romans 12:9-21, God gives us all the tools we need to live in harmony with everyone.
- “The Kingdom of God is not in trouble, and neither are you.” Isn’t that a relief?!? He does know every little thing that is going on in our world and THE world. None of this year’s craziness is taking Him by surprise. Just read through Isaiah 40:12-31 where you read the declarations about who God is and every little thing He takes care of. Whatever the outcome of this election, and however you feel about it, does not change the fact that God is and always will be in control.
- “Set your own boundaries.” As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I learned four years ago where I needed my boundaries in order to function during crazy times. My boundaries are not going to be your boundaries, and that is okay. Figure out what is best for you, right now, today. And then stick to them. Don’t allow anyone to shame you into how they are handling this year, and then be careful not to shame others. This should be between you and God alone to find your healthy balance.
I hope these five thoughts or practices, will help you be pro-active in how you go through the next few weeks particularly. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:27 and 6:34, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? … “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Join me in pushing fear and worry out of our minds and focus instead of how we can share Christ’s love during these current times.
