1. Become aware of World news, not just American politics.
It becomes really easy to get caught up in the current news in America today. We become so passionate about voting and having a say, we forget that our entire government is based upon checks and balances. We do not have a totalitarian government. America can still thrive, whether or not the best candidate is elected. Remind yourself that in the grand scheme of current events, political campaigns are not the end all be all. Events like the Syrian conflict leading to a refugee crisis make Hillary Clinton’s email scandal look a lot less important. We need to realize all of the global issues, that are affecting multiple nations, are taking the lives of over 200,000 people.
2. Unplug.
Delete the Fox candidate app. Realize half of what you’re hearing is personal life details that no one should really care about. I am as guilty as anyone else. I started this year excited for the 2016 elections; the first time I could contribute to society in the form of voting. I added the Fox News Election HQ to my apps. I even spent countless hours identifying which candidates I agree with. I am not saying that being aware of candidates' backgrounds is not important. The candidate’s opinion on social issues and moral concepts is incredibly important; however, their social lives and just about anything that could be a story on E! News is likely irrelevant to their ability to lead the country.
3. Realize that God is sovereign over all Nations.
I am also guilty of becoming anxiety-ridden about the way our country is going. After a long look at my heart, it’s obvious that my anxiety is rooted in a false expectation of my government. Government is sustained by man and man is sinful in nature, therefore my expectations of the government are overly high. There is a sense of biblical accountability and principle. Since they are not God, these are men and woman who have lives and mess up. Why should my hope in this country be founded on man, when man is sinful in nature? God promises to be there; God promises to protect me. People live with a lot more religious persecution than I do. There is a sense of gratefulness, that I lack, for what God has protected America from.
4. Check political opinions with biblical opinions.
I recently looked at why I believe what I believe. Why do I line up with conservatives rather than liberals? I could not find an all-inclusive answer. Society has taught us that "Christian" means "conservative." While I personally believe the principles that conservatives tend to have because they are synonymous with my own, there are some principles I agreed with from a selfish nature. Biblically, Jesus was not as right-winged as I perceived him. Voting with your morals, but having no known biblical principle to corroborate your beliefs is not voting under biblical principle. If you're doing the "Christian" thing, but have no conviction as to why you're doing it, you're just as blinded as the man who has opinions that do not line up with biblical principles.
5. Get out there and make a difference.
If you’re passionate for a cause, do something. Stop dwelling on the actions of others. I was recently broken, as much of the world was, by the disturbing photos of the small child drowned on the voyage away from oppressed land. If I had not reality checked my political tendencies a few weeks ago, I would have gone straight to questioning motives, government, policies and the opinions of the candidates. However, after stepping back, I had the ability to feel broken for the people without a political agenda. Ultimately I felt called to serve, to help, and to become informed rather than pointing fingers at others for not serving, helping and informing me. When you step back, the finger pointing starts to diminish and the conviction and sense of ownership gives you power and a craving to make changes.
Please remember, we have over a year before elections… that’s a long time to dwell on every aspect of a handful of individuals' lives.
