What now? A Post Election Strategy to Regain Sanity

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Acts 3:19-20

¹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

I was speaking with a co-worker the other day and we were discussing the World Series.  It was the day of game seven and he was for the Cubs and I, as someone born in Ohio was going for the Indians.  I mentioned to him that after tonight the World Series will be over and after November 8, the election will also be over.  I then asked him what we were going to do then.

As I am writing this, the election results have not been determined.  However, I believe there is a strategy for all of us to return to sanity after this tumultuous election regardless of who the winner is.  This strategy is based upon the belief that no matter who wins elections, God is not surprised by the result.  God has a plan for all of us that does not depend upon the winners of elections.  I therefore belief we can all return to sanity after this election by,

1)      Refreshing ourselves – The problems facing our nation still exist even though the election is over.  However, this does not mean we cannot take a break to refresh ourselves.  As a Christian I seek refreshing for my soul and spirit by focusing on the things of God.  Isaiah 40:8 reminds us that the things of this world symbolized in this passage by the grass and flowers fades but the Word of God remains forever.  Just as the grass and flowers, the political climate and elections change and come and go and if we put our trust in them, we will experience great joy or frustration that will most likely change when the next election comes around.  I therefore urge my readers to join me in spending time in prayer, fasting, and the Word of God for our souls and spirits to be refreshed after this tumultuous election. 

2)      Reconnect – One in 14 Americans claim to have lost a friend over the 2016 Presidential election.  (1)  There are also marriages where a spouse has considered divorce if their spouse votes for Donald Trump.  (2)  Relationships are vital to both our emotional and mental health.  I therefore urge any of my readers who have experienced the loss of a friendship or are facing a possible divorce over the election to attempt to reconnect with their friend and get help if necessary for their marriage.  I also urge those reading this to reconnect with activities that brought us happiness and joy.  We also have the holidays coming up which provide a great opportunity to reconnect, if we do not allow the subject of politics or the election to come up.

3)      React proactively – The fact that the election is over means that the United States will have a new President and Congress come January.  Whether our favorite candidate won or lost is not what is important for they are all flawed human beings.  They therefore will do and say things that will cause us to react.  I encourage everyone not to just react when a leader does something but to be proactive in our reaction by regularly communicating with our new leaders.  Granted they may not listen but if enough of us react proactively they should become concerned about the prospects of re-election to their position. 

The United States is a great nation and will continue to be great despite a divisive election cycle.  This is because we are a nation of great people.  What we the great people of the United States must do now is take time to refresh ourselves, reconnect with friends and most importantly our spouses, and react in a proactive manner as our new leaders begin to govern. 

Happy post-election everyone and may the peace and joy of the Lord keep you strong after a tumultuous divisive election cycle. 

1. Sheer, Holly. One In 14 Americans Has Lost A Friend Over This Presidential Election. thefederalist.com. [Online] The Federalist, October 6, 2016. [Cited: November 5, 2016.] http://thefederalist.com/2016/10/06/one-14-americans-lost-friend-presidential-election/.

2. Phillips, Michael M. Till Death—or Donald—Do Us Part: Couples Spar Over Trump. www.wsj.com. [Online] The Wall Street Journal, February 25, 2016. [Cited: November 5, 2016.] http://www.wsj.com/articles/till-deathor-donalddo-us-part-couples-spar-over-trump-1456362831.