Some Recent Post-Election Thoughts
He alone has ultimate control over what happens in His creation
Nothing that happens on earth surprises Him. Nothing mere mortals do get in the way of His plan. Isaiah 55 says My word shall accomplish that which I purpose; Lamentations 2 says the Lord has done what He has purposed. Ezekiel 22 says I will speak and it will be performed. There’s no getting in His way and that should bring us peace.
With that authority in mind, rest in the fact that it isn’t about you or up to you. His authority and opinion alone matters. He alone is in control. He alone has the power to cause life change, to sway hearts, to comfort souls. He is outside of time--outside of our temporary world where the grass withers and the flowers fade.
When we zoom out, we can remember that the war He is fighting is bigger than any political issues, ongoing debates, or celebrity opinions. Spiritual warfare is indeed at play. Thought we walk in the flesh, we aren’t waging war according to the flesh. Nor are our weapons of the flesh. Cling to the divine power He’s given you to destroy strongholds, arguments, and lofty opinions raised against His knowledge. Remember the larger picture and amidst your anxiety, take your thoughts captive to Christ. He alone is our hope and trust. Kings, priests, prophets, and presidents will continue to rise and fall. The Good News has assured us that we already have an Everlasting King, a Holy Prince, a Good Shepherd. He is beside you, He is ahead of you, He is within you!
He alone has authority to define good versus evil
Since the dawn of time the enemy has tempted us with the ability to be like God. Which, yes, we as Christians should reflect Christ, but let me explain. Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High, and he tempted Adam and Eve similarly. He tempted them to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We were never meant to bear that weight--defining what’s good versus evil. That responsibility was only ever meant for God’s shoulders—it’s too much for us to carry, and even if it wasn't, we'd do a terrible job! It’s like the clay saying to the potter, “Do this, don’t do this. Do you even know what you’re doing?” Not only was He alone meant to define good versus evil; He gave us those definitions in His Word! Seek His definitions out over man’s, always.
He alone has the right to place convictions on your heart
The world can be very loud! But loud does not equate right. Remember—only God defines good versus evil. Plus, because of sin, the world is completely contradictory to God’s way. So, focus on what is true, focus on His Truth, and focus on the convictions He’s laid on your heart specifically. The enemy and his demons want utter chaos and division on earth; he wants us to disown the Lord’s Truth; he wants us to feel guilt and shame over things we weren’t meant to. Consistently ask yourself, is this true? Did this/would this really happen? Did they really say this? Does this align with what the Word says? Has the Lord convicted me of this, or is someone online just making me feel guilty about something that isn't even righteous?
Since the Old Testament, people have been telling God’s people lies. Before Judah went into exile in Babylon, false prophets told them, “Everything’s okay, keep living your lives of sin, nothing bad’s going to happen!” It is important we do our own research, think critically, read the Truth, and ask Him to search and know our hearts and minds. He alone has the authority to lovingly place convictions on our hearts. Plus, it’s always for our good and His glory, not just for the current whims of the world! The more you spot lies, the more you can take that weight off your shoulders, and live the life He’s called you to, where His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
In conclusion
Be comforted by His sympathy; recall His authority; align your thoughts and beliefs with truth. Don’t let humans place shame on your heart that is not meant to be there. Cry out to Him (Lamentations 2:19) AND remind yourself of the Good News. Psalm 27 says, the Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Zephaniah 3 says “the Lord has taken away the judgments against you…The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst…fear not…let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst…he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love.” When you come to Him, He will quiet you by His love. He will quiet your anxious thoughts; He will quiet your cries in the night.
Read Isaiah 55. When you’re feeling anxious, call upon Him. When the world’s making you feel guilty, remember His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. When you’re feeling shame, replace it with what He’s called you into: to go out in joy and be led forth in peace.
