Some days I look at political and cultural news and it just makes me weary. Everyday a new outrage, injustice or tragedy is reported and I wonder, will we ever get a break?
You can only go to the emotional well so many times. After a while you just reach a point where you look at headlines of Democrat cheating, RINO backstabbing and lawlessness and just think to yourself, par for the course.
Ask yourself, “Is it healthy to harp on politics everyday?” Has politics always dominated our lives, speech, entertainment and employment or is this a new phenomenon?
I believe it’s the latter and I am convinced it’s purposeful.
First, the nature of political discourse has changed. What used to be passionate disagreements have turned into literal religious arguments.
Political disagreements used to consist of debates about policy. You know… supply-side economics, trickle-down economics, affirmative action vs merit, etc. But now, how can you debate the pros and cons of millions of illegal aliens invading our borders? How can you even debate the merits of electric vehicles, when some state governments mandate a ban on gas powered vehicles by 2035?
Perhaps the dominance of politics in our daily parlance has more to do with government ruling , rather than serving the people? Americans aren’t stupid. They see a president more concerned over calling Laken Riley’s killer , an illegal immigrant rather than “undocumented” and they understand this leader cares less about ordinary Americans.
Depressing is an apt word for our current situation.
So what’s the cure?
The obvious answer is to give yourself a break from the news every now and then. Guess what? All the crap happening now won’t lessen one iota by you wasting anger or worry about it.
Watch movies or tv shows from your past, where good triumphs over evil. Go fishing, teach your kids or grandkids a skill. Go for a walk with your wife and talk about about everything other than politics.
Get back to the truth of God, family and country as more important than politics. Pray, thanking God for His blessings. Study the Bible to learn about God’s love and plans for those who love Him.
Learn about Jesus so you can return hate with love and unforgiveness with forgiveness.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us that we may be children of our Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:44-45). How about we start dictating the rules according to the love of Jesus, rather than the hatred of man?
When we start to worry or grow anxious, God wants us to cast those concerns upon Him.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.–1 Peter 5:6-7
Finally, when you are weary of everything, take it to the Lord.
…[B]ut those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.– Isaiah 40:31
Only God can give us a break, and that’s in addition to joy , peace and love.
One reply on “Will we ever get a break?”
Dexter your article reminds me how often we may let the world bring us down with worry and anxieties over matters we have no control. I love your scripture quotes! I would like to add the Heidleberg Catechism Lord’s Day 10 Question 27: What do you understand by the providence of God? Answer: The almighty and ever present power of God by which God upholds, as with His hands, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty – all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by His fatherly hand. In other words God owns every square inch of this world and universe. One might think this thought may make Christians become complacent but the opposite is true. We should stand up for what is right, we should actively pray for our country, we should be bold in our faith, we should not worry or become anxious over the doings of worldly leaders for we know our Maker and Savior controls all. Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.” Proverb 22:2 “The rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.” Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Today’s rulers and politicians are no different from rulers of the past. They all want power and control but they are powerless in the sight of the Lord. We don’t have to understand God’s providence, we just need to trust it. When the Jews were in exile, God promised Jeremiah a return to the land He gave them. How did that occur? Cyrus king of Persia who was over all the nations, a ruler of rulers, a non believer in the true God and yet, God moved the heart of Cyrus to let the Jews return to their homes and rebuild the temple. God is good!