How to Respond to the 2016 Election Results

The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

Psalm 118:24

Today is a brand new day.  I just woke up after a short nights sleep to see that Donald Trump is the next President of the United States.  I have some friends and family who are extremely happy about this outcome, and I have some friends and family who are saddened, unhappy, and even scared by this outcome.

From all the polls, the latest news, and the buzz on social media, half of the people in our country will be unhappy with the results.  And half of the people will be happy or at least in agreement with the outcome of last nights election.

I’m not so sure that God arranged the outcome of yesterday’s election.  After all, God gave us minds and free will to make our own decisions.  But I do think that God has given us a new day today.  This is the day the Lord has made.  Let’s rejoice and be glad in it!

You may or may not be excited about the policies and ideas of our next president and the leadership in our country.  But you have a choice to make today.  How will you treat today?  Will you rejoice in the day that God has made?  Or will you pout, stamp your feet, and cross your arms in dismay?

How to Respond to the 2016 Election Results

1. Realize the blessings and freedoms that we experience in this country.  We have the right to vote.  We have so many rights and privileges that are not granted in other countries.  We are definitely blessed!
2. Realize that you have the power to make a difference.  Just like Esther demonstrated the power to impact an entire people group through her actions, we have the ability to leave our mark – even if we sometimes feel as though we’re acting alone.
3. Respond with honor.  Represent God and your faith with integrity in how you react to this election.  Our leaders deserve our respect – even if we don’t agree with them.  Stomping our feet may make us feel better initially, but it will eventually leave our feet sore and will fail to be productive.
4. Commit to make a difference.  You still have the ability to impact your neighborhood, your state, your country, and the world for God’s kingdom.  That did not change yesterday.
5. Pray for our leaders.  Whether it is the president of the United States or the mayor of your town, leaders have big decisions to make.  They face stresses that few of us could ever imagine.  They need our prayer.
6. Reach across the lines of division and be a unifier instead of a divider.  This was one of the nastiest elections in my memory, and I’m sure our media and social media didn’t help the situation.  Regardless, of where you fell on this election, it’s time we all learn to reach across the lines of division.  It’s time we learn to listen to the voices of those who are different that us – in our opinions, in our beliefs, in our skin color, and in our socioeconomic status.  “Making our country great again” depends so much more on you and me than it does on our next President.
7. Put on a smile.  Sitting on your hands and frowning is not productive.  Period.  Decide today to have a good attitude.

I’m speaking to myself as I write these words and ideas.  I want to be known as a positive, respectful, and thankful person.  You and I have a choice to make.  How will you proceed from here?

What do you see in your world today?  How will you choose to rejoice today?