America is hurting.
Whether you are on the left of the aisle and are disappointed and scared about the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency and its implications or whether you are on the right of the aisle and fearing for your safety as a conservative it is evident that there is hurt in this country right now.
I have been very vocal about being the anti-Trump conservative throughout this election cycle, but today, I’m not here to talk about my views.
I’m here to highlight how we have been acting towards one another.
We have fought hateful rhetoric with more hateful rhetoric.
Every evening this week I have witnessed protests against Trump. The sounds of angry and hurt voices fill the air shouting obscene phrases, condemning both Trump and his supporters.
But what is this doing except deepening the divide? Hate cannot solve hate.
In 1 Peter 2:13-17 it says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
Whether you like it or not, Trump is going to be our next president, and with that you need to show him respect.
Just because you feel as though someone has disrespected you; it doesn’t mean you need to disrespect him or her back in return.
Take the high road, and instead of insulting them back, no matter how deeply it hurts you, show them respect because I guarantee you that respect is not the reaction they intended on receiving.
They wanted an arousal, and when you protest and burn flags; you are reacting in exactly the manner that they would expect.
When someone treats you like dirt; the best reaction is to show them love—no matter how badly you wish to retaliate.
So, let’s learn from Hillary Clinton’s example. In her concession speech, which was copied to her Facebook page, she wrote, “We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America—and I always will. And if you do, too, then we must accept this result—and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”
Follow the words of Jesus and follow Clinton’s example, and together we can and will continue to move forward.
But, if we keep protesting the divides that we are trying so hard to fix—they will only grow.
It’s up to each and every one of us to treat one another with respect—even when it is hard to do so.
