Briana Totten is a current NYU junior studying nursing. This article is a response to the reactions and outcome of the 2016 election. You can read more of her work here. Let's pray and make the world a better place one day at a time.
-Philippians 4:13
Moving to Canada, burning the American flag, and ranting on social media is not going to change the outcome of this year's election. Nothing at this point can be changed. As much as some of us may want it to happen, a new president can't just appear at the snap of our fingers; and no, Obama cannot run for a third term. Whether we are upset or content with the result of the election, we need to come together as a country rather than starting a rebellion. We need to spread peace and love amongst the people in our nation instead of violence and hate
“Let all that you do be done in love, (1 Corinthians 16:14).” Every day I pray this country will one day come together and be united.
I am so blessed and grateful to have been introduced to the serenity prayer. It is a constant reminder of the inner peace I find within myself and God. If you are not familiar with it, this is how it goes:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
As a country, we need to accept that we cannot change the outcome of the election, courage to change the things we can, meaning, developing a new perspective, forgiving those who hurt you; and know the difference between the two. Ask yourself, what can I truly change and what can I not? Be realistic and know violence and other actions being expressed out of anger and hurt are not going to change what has happened. Everyone reading this should take a few minutes, sit back and just read the serenity prayer. What do you think when you read it? What are things in your life that you need to accept and let go/move on from? What can’t you control? What are things you can control yourself? It takes time to fully decipher the two; we need to pray each day for understanding. We need to trust God and his process “Trust in God with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).”
It really saddens me to see that people want to see our president-elect, Donald Trump, fail as a president. Instead of bashing him and wishing him the worst, we need to pray that he will indeed make a good president. We need to pray he will be loyal to this country and the people in it. We need to pray for wise leadership and ability to unite this country. We also need to pray for those who are afraid because they should not be living in fear “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, (John 14:27)”
In the end, God will always have the last word. Walk in faith and trust that he will forever rule our nation. He will always be in control. “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still, (Exodus 14:14).”
