Many Americans are threatening to leave the country (or complain endlessly) if Donald Trump becomes the next president of our 50 states. I’ll be honest, it terrifies me too. It's not Donald Trump himself that scares me, but the obscene reactions he’s produced from his supporters and those who detest him.
His supporters have displayed an America I’ve only read about in history books: violent, prejudiced, and unwelcoming (of course, not all of Trump’s supporters are like this, but, at least, it is what the media portrays/what I have seen first hand). In the same way, I have seen republicans and democrats alike stand and protest Donald Trump in both peaceful and violent ways. A man who splits our country this much, this early in the election, scares me. It terrifies me.
But, I won’t be afraid if Trump is elected. I won’t run away to Canada or France, as tempting as it may be, because this is my home. It's where I was born, and I can’t let fear run my life.
Additionally, I’m a Christian. A lot of Christian Americans are acting in these same disgusting, shameful ways to show their support (or abhorrence) for Trump. Many Christians are so engulfed in this election, saying that it’ll make or break our country, and make or break us as an American people.
I’m not afraid for Trump to be president, because I know that whoever is elected, God is still king. Whoever the people “want” won’t decide our fate. We, as Christians, need to turn to God more in times like this, rather than allowing ourselves to believe that one person can ruin us. Although they will make an immense impact on our lives, God is still in control. If we fear Him, obey Him, and live faithfully, not even a bully like Donald Trump stepping into the Oval Office should shake us up.
There will be terror and hatred and dysfunction anywhere we flee to in the world. There will be racists and bigots and misogynists. We are not a perfect people, and we are a very broken world. We need to understand that we are all in this world together, and running from one place to another isn’t going to solve anything. Living your life in fear will only make you feel worse about your situation.
So, Donald Trump can win the presidency, and he can attempt to run this country to the ground, but I will continue to follow my faith and what it truly stands for. I will be welcoming of people, loving, and understanding of others. If this country bends because of this election, I won’t let it, or the hateful words that it has spawned, break me. I will continue to look at God for answers and understand that he has a plan, and he is always faithful.
