As we await the results of another presidential election, about half of the country is hoping for one outcome, while the other half is eagerly awaiting the opposite. I predict disappointment ahead. One of these potential rulers will not get the job, just as many other politicians have found out similarly in the past couple days, there are equal amounts of excitement and discouragement throughout the country. If you talk to anyone motivated by political discussion, we may even become frustrated with those we voted for if they don’t do exactly as we would like. Yet, as we have done in years past, we will get through it and hopefully come together to move forward in a productive way. How do you deal with disappointment and find hope when things do not go your way?
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
Have you ever asked yourself, or anyone else for that matter, ‘What do you want out of life?’ Maybe you do not have any particular life goals, but you are still striving toward something. We get up every morning and get going for a reason, either to better ourselves of someone else. Maybe to work our job to earn money to provide for our families or to get status and recognition in some way. Maybe its simply to have a home that is paid for with a family that ‘has it better than I did’, whatever that may mean to you. We may work our whole lives to accumulate and build a little empire, only to leave it to someone who destroys it in a decade. Sometimes we go through life not really knowing specifically what we are striving for, but we keep going. Are you where you expected to be if we were to have asked your former self 10-20 years ago?
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:10
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
So, regardless of the outcome of this election, of the economy in this country, and many other things, we can still have hope in the one thing that does not change one bit in our lives. Our perception of God and feelings toward Him may change on a daily basis, but He does not. He desires us to change and to become more like Him as He sanctifies us with his Spirit, but he is the perfect standard to which we are conforming. So, when you get discouraged because things do not go your way, or you experience loss and your world seems to be crumbling, find Hope. Hope in the one who does not change, and has power and dominion over every kingdom that ever was or will be. Though our leaders may be flawed and imperfect, He is not. May our hope be in Him.
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6
Yours in Christ,
Clark
