In one of the most polarizing elections in America’s history, we the people have elected Donald Trump to be our next president of the United States of America. Some are thrilled and others are brokenhearted. Many are celebrating while others are rocked with fear or disbelief. Due to social media and those with concrete opinions blasting their stances, we can forget that there is also an entire population who feel neither red nor blue, but gray. They didn't know who to vote for or chose a third party candidate and are watching the sea of voices and news headlines roll in and wondering how the tide will wash out.
It would be incredibly easy this week to hop over to a favorite social media outlet to vent, seek solace from a comment section, or leave something nasty in the feed of an outspoken individual with a view that opposes our own. There, take that! But, what if we didn’t? What if we allowed this month that is blanketed in the theme of gratitude to actually inspire us to unity instead?
Consider Romans 12:14 when it says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” “Bless” means to “actively wish good upon or pray for the wellbeing of (biblereference.com).” The Kingdom of God is always backward from an earthly perspective. It seems counterintuitive but what if we actually chose in this season to bless each other? What if we thanked God for the person on the other end of that social media thread, for our president elect, and every candidate who was on the ballot. Gratitude is powerful and, if given enough focus, it could replace the hatred in our hearts and vitriol in our speech with love.
As a kid who was gossiped about and picked on a lot, I know it’s HARD to bless those who curse you. But, learning to do this as a teen taught me so much about the shift in perspective that happens when you pray for your “enemies.” You see others as people and not their opinions. You ask God what He wants for them and what He’s up to in their lives and that seems more important than what you think they’re doing to you. Here are three ideas for how to thank God for someone that is opposing you and allow that to inspire unity:
For over fifteen years, I’ve prayed for revival in our nation. My mom started working at Billy Graham when I was in middle school. I would visit her for lunch or some special occasion and stare at the pictures of droves of people flocking to accept Jesus on the walls. “Do it again Lord,” I would and still pray. Revival starts with us. We must choose to give thanks for one another and let that spur us to unity. It is the only way can truly stand out as followers of Jesus and create a safe place for people in a country divided. As Jesus so perfectly put it, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).”
Think about it:
Start your own gratitude journal this month by reflecting on these questions:
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