With the looming presidential election, every person you speak to has a strong political opinion. The passionate viewpoints, on each side, have their own sources to back up their beliefs. These claims have the ability to divide friends, ruin relationships and cause serious anxiety and depression when debated.  It can easily become a dark, ominous, worry cloud over our psyche and create a root of bitterness and fear in our spirits. How do we break this bondage?

Last week I heard a quote from Mike Hostetter, who was the guest leader in our church small group. He said, “we need to learn to be better not bitter.” I couldn’t agree more, especially on the cusp of an election. One side is not going to be happy with the results. When it comes down to it, we need to look at our level of influence.  How can we become better and not bitter in this time of decision? We have two areas of control. The first one is prayer. We need to be praying for God to be in control of our country. He has the perfect plan with His scope of knowledge for our future. This comes down to fervent prayer for our personal requests and also the ability to back away as we lay our petitions at His feet and trust Him. The second area of control is to vote. We are only ONE vote. So, to alienate friends, family and co-workers with our excessive banter is not helping our relationships and only causing isolationism on our own lonely island with like-minded people. We all need to cast our single vote and then let it go.

Besides praying and voting how else can we become better? Here are four ways:

1.     We need to avoid flooding social media with alienating political comments. This is largely responsible for widening the great divide in relationships. You won’t change anyone’s mind on social media. Take the high road and don’t use social media as your platform for political propaganda.

2.     Limit your exposure to the news outlets that utilize sensationalism not to inform, but to attract viewers simply to generate higher advertising dollars. Focus on media outlets that you trust to provide balance and truth in their reporting, without editorializing too much. They can tell you what happened, while you decide what to think about it. Stay away from all of the news banter channels, which cloud your vision and cause stress. Also, don’t take what you read or hear as the gospel truth all the time. After all, there is really only one Gospel truth. Research any claims or allegations that seem unreasonable, and don’t just assume what you hear each time is accurate.

3.     Stay true to what you know is right. You have two choices, what is right and what is wrong. Don’t get sucked into the politically correct gray areas. If you need any clarification, dust off the family bible and delve in. The answers you receive from that book will provide clarity and illuminate truth in life matters. If you need a resource to grow in your personal faith, check out the app BIOY (Bible in One Year) led by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel out of HTB Church London. This is a great daily resource for reading or listening to the Bible in a year. Along with the Bible there is an explanation of the scriptures related to everyday life. http://www.bibleinoneyear.org/ Check it out.

4.     Be kind to the people you meet. Remember Jesus associated with all people not just the ones who were like him. When people see Jesus in you, they will listen to the wise words you speak. It’s called lifestyle evangelism. Believe it or not, you can be a magnet that draws people to Jesus through you.

So, commit to being better in this world where so much bitterness is deeply rooted. You will in turn have a bigger spring in your step without the unnecessary burden of things that are out of your control. Not to mention, the joy that is present when you trust Jesus with the results of any election or any situation that comes your way.

Ephesians 4: 31-32(NIV) “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”