The Pre-Election Months. What Were We Thinking?

So in my immense quest to be occasionally relevant, I've decided to discuss the upcoming presidential election (Debra-style). And to my intelligent, but worried-about-next-month's-outcome readers, I would urge one thing:

Come on, people. Snap out of it.

As I, myself, recently recalled after The Big Blow, worry is a sign we're paying closer attention to the world (and how it works) than to God. (Yikes! What were we thinking?)

No matter who wins the election--I believe--our lives will change. And oh! What we could have done to prepare had we not spun in frantic circles, wasting time, distressing, instead:


We could have spent extra quiet time with God. Listening. Loving Him. "Becoming built up in our most holy faith" for any hardships we might face ahead.

We could have gotten our houses in order-- spiritual, financial and physical. You know, become prepared for tons of changes, emergencies, like: Created bug-out bags and alternate routes from work so to avoid areas of possible rioting. Collected enough supplies at home so to avoid panicked crowds at supermarkets. Prepared to hunker down at home just in case things really go wild. Socked away extra cash at home and worked at getting out of debt. In general, prepared for short-term troubles and farther away, longer ones.

We could have gotten in good physical and mental shape so to cope with any changes. Could have listened to way more Bible teaching than news reports, more Bible study than newspaper reading.

We could have finished projects and made Life easier (and our minds, lighter). Rather than camping-out in front of the tv news, we could have un-procrastinated tasks galore, in Real Life and online, soaking in a sense of accomplishment rather than hopelessness.

We could have sown more unity, peace and seeds of helping, friendship and forgiveness rather than alienating Facebook friends and neighbors by our rabid, unverified political posts. (Friendships last longer than presidential terms of office.)

We could have--well, you get it.


Yes, November's is an extremely important election. I agree. But all months preceding it were precious, given by a generous God. None were worth wasting in dread, worry and unbelief. As I commented at Facebook:

God's had a specific plan for thousands of years and no two questionable presidential candidates are going to screw it up. I think it's pretty exciting to see what God will do next!

And in coming weeks, each of us will (I know this) face the reality of whether we arrived at November 8th fully prepared--or not.

So get busy, ok? And remember Whose we are and Who will care for us no matter who's sitting in that big white building in Washington D.C..

******

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."   ... Philippians 4:6-7


“Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free.” 
― Shannon L. Alder


“The reason some of us are such poor specimens of Christianity is because we have no Almighty Christ. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment to Jesus Christ.” 
― Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

(Ouch! But true.)


******

For my fellow preppers: One reason I love my new battery-operated sconces is that they make excellent emergency light sources at home. You'll find a variety of them here.

Oh! And for genealogy fans, this morning I discovered a new show on Netflix called Heir Hunters. I'm thinking many of you would enjoy it.  :)


******


Always there's something productive we can do rather than just slide into a heavy heart through unproductive worry.

" and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."   ... Matthew 28:20


******