TRUMP WILL BE PRESIDENT, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL

There seems to be a lot of anger over the election results. I cannot force anyone to like the President. I cannot force them to like the GOP. But I can offer some suggestions from a Christian perspective of how we should proceed:
1. Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

The Bible is clear that authority comes from God. Does this mean all authority does God's will? No. In fact, leaders have the same free will as everyone else. God gifts them with the ability to lead and they can do so however they please. There are many verses which speak to a higher standard (and accountability) that leaders are held to and they will reap what they sow whether in this world or in their eternal judgment. But also remember that God has used the authority of bad people to call his people back to Him. Reading through 1&2 Kings and 1&2 Chronicles alone will show you good and bad kings put into power by God. That's not even mentioning judgment placed on Israel/Judah by the Assyrians and Babylonians. If you are looking at Trump as evil, remember that God placed him there. Remember also that some people were looking at your candidate as evil. Thankfully it is for God to judge and not us.

2. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

We are to pray for everyone...especially our leaders! Face it: if you are running around cursing the man who is to be the next POTUS, then you are essentially cursing the nation as a whole. It is best to lift up blessings upon him. Pray for him to make wise decisions out of love. Pray for him to make peace. Pray for him to unite us instead of divide us. Pray for him to truly love the Lord (which in turn would lead to true love for God's people). I was no fan of Obama. But I continually prayed for him during his 8 years of office. Much to my shame I also grumbled a lot about him. There is scripture about that too...that is something I should NOT have been doing. And it is something we should NOT be doing about Trump. He was selected by God's gift of authority and it is now up to us to lead prayers of blessing upon him.

3. Matthew 5:43-45a - You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

Personally, I think the media has twisted Trump's words to make him sound like a racist and hateful person. I'm not saying he hasn't said some really dumb things, but I believe looking into his actions over the past 30 years speak volumes for his character as being loving and inclusive. For those unaware, he took a city to court in order to make sure a white's only club included blacks and Jews. He lobbied for anti-discrimination laws to protect gays back in 2000 (long before Obama even "evolved" his beliefs) and just recently he let a woman...yes a woman...become the first woman to successfully run a presidential election campaign. In spite of this, there are many who believe he is out to get them and that he is an enemy. Well, the Bible tells us to pray for our enemies. If you see him as such, pray for him. Most importantly, pray for him to have and use wisdom from God alone. Pray for him to change his heart. Pray for him to lead with love and dignity. Pray for him to lead ALL Americans into success, not just the ones that already are successful.

4. 2 Timothy 2:23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

Most of you know that at one point I was posting tons of opinionated political posts. I still do one from time to time but have cut way back on them. Why? Because every time I do it leads to nothing but fighting among my friends (many of whom don't even know each other). It does nothing but bring forth hatred. I now only post things occasionally and respond to others' posts even less. When I do, I try to really stop and think about how it will be perceived and make sure I answer with love. Creating quarrelsome posts will get us nowhere. It just leads to more hate and division. As followers of the Lord, we are not to do this. We should be leading by example. We are to patiently endure evil and to correct with a spirit of gentleness. This comes best when one takes the time to talk face to face...not on social media where tone is lost and the reader often sees a disagreeing post as an attack.

5. 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

This is specifically aimed to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though we interpret things a bit differently, one thing that is definite is that we are to live with love and kindness to one another. If your candidate lost, I'm sorry. I spent the last 8 years with one that I felt did nothing but destroy what this country had built. Some of you felt he did the opposite. With that in mind, it was still for me to love you. And it is now for you to still love me. Let us rise above the hateful rhetoric we are seeing. Let us instead love one another and bless one another as we face the next 4 years together. I do not know if they will be good or bad. But I do know that God is for us. Let your trust be in Him and not in "worldly" heroes.

God bless each of you.