Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com
It’s been very disheartening to see how many of the supporters on the left side and right side of the political spectrum have participated in a lot of the mudslinging and bashing that we’ve seen over these last months.
Our Right to Vote for Whom We Choose
Because we have a democracy, we have been afforded the opportunity to exercise our civic responsibility and right to vote for the political candidates of our choice. And, in making that choice, no one should have to be subjected to judgmental and vicious verbal attacks because they make a decision to vote for a political candidate who others oppose and feel would be the wrong man or woman to elect to public office.
We feed into the negative propaganda and allow ourselves to become increasingly divided as a Nation. In fact, we should understand that there will always be media bias and misleading information that is presented in relation to Democratic and Republican candidates in order to sway voters. It’s imperative that we do our own research so that we are prepared to vote knowledgeably.
What Are We Conveying with Our Words and Actions?
I am often disconcerted by the comments that I read on various social networks, including Christian social media, in relation to this election season. There is a great deal of hostility, cynicism and hateful speech directed at those who share different views and opinions. Our voice as Christians during this volatile political climate should be to glorify the Lord our God and Savior Jesus Christ, and not to participate publicly in negative, hurtful speech that degrades and demoralizes others.
Our faith and actions should be working together (James 2:14-26). For those of us who profess to be Christians, it’s important for us to make certain our words and actions line up with our faith. In other words, if our faith is in God and His Word, then we demonstrate that by the way we conduct ourselves; we are to live according to the Word of God. If we are verbally attacking others on social media because of how they feel or don’t feel about a political candidate, then we are not allowing the light in us to shine before them.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
When the newly elected President- whether we voted for this individual or not- is sworn into office on January 20, 2017, let us remember and be encouraged to pray for our new President and Commander-In-Chief and for other U.S. government officials as well (I Timothy 2:1-3).
Being Humane and Being Empathetic
I hope that we will begin to remind ourselves daily of what it means to be humane. We realize that to act in a humane way is to show compassion, kindness and consideration towards others. Also, we should get into the habit of asking ourselves- “How would I want to be treated in the same situation?” And then we should go about treating others in that very same way that we ourselves would desire to be treated.
“And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.” Luke 6:31
Let’s get busy doing the very things that can pull us together as a Nation- instead of the things that divide us. It begins with self-examination…it begins with a new mindset…it begins with a changed heart…it begins with reaching out beyond ourselves to make a difference.
Even In The Midst of Chaos
So instead of becoming undone, I pray our minds will become made up- even in the midst of chaos- to do our very best, to give our very best, and to live in such a way that we are positively impacting the lives of others.
[stextbox id=”info”]Shirell Dalton is passionate about her love relationship with Jesus Christ. She desires to share her faith and uplift others through positive and inspirational messages of truth and love. You can find Shirell on instagram.com/livelifegreater and facebook.com/cleosgourmet where she displays her talent for making chocolate confections.[/stextbox]
