I read a friend’s poem today that made me think about the recent Presidential election. I have to admit that it’s been on my mind a lot. At first, I was upset and angry with the results. However, the more that I have thought about it, I can’t let myself give into the anger and hate. Every time I see the President Elect, I admit that I feel anger and hate. I don’t like him and the way he behaves makes me angry. Yet, I am a minority. Most of the people in this country wanted him. That means that instead of trying to accept who he is, what I really need to do is find a way to accept who the American people are and what our country is. I was delusional about my country and the people within it. My biggest hurdle right now is accepting the way things really are and understanding that I don’t control it.
The only thing I can control is my own behavior and at this point although it seems so small my own behavior is very important. I can take the next four years and feed that anger and fear that I have been feeling. I could nurture those feelings and send them out into the world, but if I do that, then fear and anger will continue to grow. My other choice is to find a way to change myself. I need to become a better person who shows love and understanding despite everything leading me in the wrong direction and away from God’s path.
I don’t believe that we are here to have amazing lives that are always filled with happiness free of sorrow and struggles. I believe that we are here to experience everything that life has to offer and that when we are face with adversity, sorrow, struggles, and temptations, God is giving us an opportunity to grow. It is very difficult to understand that when it happens, but when I struggle, I know that instead of giving into temptation, I must trust in God and ask Him to guide me toward His path.
When it comes to the recent political landscape, I know I have done poorly. I got lost and then I have been avoiding the situation. I know I need to do better, but I’m scared, it hurts, and it feels overwhelming. I realize that as I write this post tonight though that if I stick my head in the sand, then I can’t grow and I can’t spread God’s message or His love. I need to face the reality somehow. So, I pray for God’s guidance. I pray for some way to face the world and all that is happening without losing hope and giving into anger and fear. I pray for help to be more like Jesus and to be someone full of love, peace and understanding not or anger and fear. I pray to be thankful for the experience even when I struggle.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
