There are plenty of blog posts from other Christian writers trying to bring perspective before, during, and after this election (see #11 as the main point), so there’s no need for me to be redundant. Instead, let me offer my own somewhat light-hearted approach, sprinkled with a little truth. Regardless of whether you are stressed, depressed, elated, or angry, here are 20 actions I recommend you take:
- Take deep breaths
- Love your neighbor
- Stand by your biblically based convictions
- Think twice before tweeting or posting on Facebook
- Don’t gloat or whine for the next 24 hours (and consider making this ban permanent)
- Hold a baby or pet a dog
- Get some energy out really soon
- Focus on what God has called you to do
- Let out a really loud yell and/or have a good cry
- Eat a good dessert
- Remember that the Lord is still on His throne
- Watch a movie to take a break from reality
- Pray for the newly elected/re-elected
- Engage in making a difference in your community
- Splash cold water on your face, or even graduate to a cold shower
- Hug someone who voted differently than you
- Make a memory with a family member
- Laugh out loud for no reason, preferably in a crowd
- Commit a random act of kindness on a stranger
- Seek the Lord each day with your whole heart
The good news about this list is that it is applicable to everyday life, so focus on the change you can make in your community, nation, and world. Let me end with a quote from the opening and closing episodes of one of my favorite TV shows, M*A*S*H: “Ladies and gentlemen take my advice. Pull down your pants and slide on the ice.” You get the metaphor.
Perhaps I should end instead with an applicable Bible verse as we put Election Day in the rearview mirror. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14).
