I am happy this election is over. The political debates over the last several months have revealed everyone’s darkest colors. The tension I have seen among friends and families has been discouraging and upsetting.
Last week, America made a decision. Whether or not you liked that decision, it is what it is. Here are some of my ideas about where we should go from here.
1. Open your eyes.
We have been negligent in regard to politics. This is why we ended up with two candidates most everyone disliked—we sat back for a while and went to sleep. We have to be aware.
We have to take time to listen and seek to understand what is going on in the government of our country. I will be the first to say that I am clueless about many things in politics, but I try my best to stay educated on what is happening. It is our responsibility to have our voices heard; we have to wake up.
2. Please be nice.
When Donald Trump was announced as the winner, some people celebrated. Others felt a chilling wave of fear overtake them. Some people were hopeful and motivated about the direction of this country. Others were heartbroken and terrified at the thought of our leader in America being such an aggressive and divisive person. Whichever person you are, recognize that not everyone feels the same as you.
STOP making rude comments to people who disagree with you. It is ok to disagree, but it is not ok to be mean about it. Stop continuing to invite hatred into your conversations. Try your best to understand and respect everyone’s opinions. Do not try to force your strong positive or negative viewpoints on everyone you encounter.
3. We are going to be okay.
Just because someone got elected to be our new leader does not mean we are forced to change our lives and behavior. The president is not the definition of America—WE are the definition of America. No one can stop you from doing good.
It is still up to us to love each other. It is still up to us to accept each other. It is still up to us to encourage each other. It is still up to us to educate each other. It is still up to us to help each other.
Yes, the president has a lot of power, but, thanks to our government’s structure, he is not the king of everything. A president cannot and will not be our savior. We have a responsibility to love each other.
Donald Trump is unlike many past presidents because of his outspokenness and threatening rhetoric. It has alarmed many, including me. Several groups of people are genuinely afraid of how they will be treated under the leadership of Donald Trump.
But I have hope. Even if you disagree with me, I believe in a sovereign God that will always be in control. I have seen in my own life that He is good, He is present, and He has the whole world in His hands. If you join me in putting full faith in the Creator of the universe, you will experience an unexplainable sense of freedom and peace. It’s seriously so awesome. If God is for us, who could be against us?
