What is driving you today?
1 Peter 2:1 – So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
As you approach the political season, many are saying the election of 2020 is a pivot point, one where the nation could move in directions that are ideologically opposite. Pundits present both sides of the political spectrum, often with glowing words or thundering accusations. Who can you trust? It quickly becomes evident what is driving them—but what is it that is driving you?
It seems that media sources all l have a singular ambition, regardless of the candidate they are pushing, and that is to make you angry. Anger is divisive by its very nature, and both sides are looking for a divided electorate—a divided America!
But if you pull back the cover on anger you find beneath it fear, hurt and frustration. Miroslav Volf, a Croatian theologian, once said, “To triumph fully, evil needs two victories, not one. The first victory happens when an evil deed is perpetrated; the second victory, when evil is returned. After the first victory, evil would die if the second victory did not infuse it with new life.”
To respond to angry and divisive words with more anger is to infuse that first evil with new life. Don’t let that anger destroy you. Don’t let it have victory in your life. Trust God to deal with the evildoers, then focus on His presence, giving him your fears, your hurts and your frustrations. He knows all about them anyway!
Pray With Us
Heavenly Father, You are so good. It seems that in whatever circumstance I find myself, You are there to provide a way out for me. I confess to falling into the dividing trap that is being laid by those who seek to do evil in America, even though they would never admit that is their motivation. Give right thoughts and words to those who belong to You. Let Your light shine through them. Let me hear and listen with discernment and to be careful to check their claims against Your Word. Thank You for Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
