God is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,~Psalm 34:18. 

If you are in America you have probably seen the news stories, the protests, and the excessive drama. Well, this post is hopefully an attempt at healing. 

Why do we need to heal? Because this election has brought out the very worst in some people. The slander, name calling, mud slinging, hateful memes, prejudice, labeling, lost friendships, fights, hate crimes, “God said vote for this person and if you don’t you are going to hell“, and hurting people is just well, sad. So many people have been hurt. On both sides of the party line, there has been a blood bath. 

I will honestly say, I have never felt more backed in a corner or unsafe. If you say the wrong thing, it may incite violence. I have tan/light brown skin, and I am a woman. There are some people who feel people like me are not worthy of respect, honor, or dignity. Some have been celebrating the new President by attacking people who are not “white” Americans. They have painted racial slurs on buildings “Make America White Again.” Others on the opposing side have been protesting, “Dump Trump” and calling those who supported him bad names or making threats. 

I wept bitterly today because I thought much of this nonsense and senseless fighting had died away. No, it rises over and over like an ugly boil on the bottom of America. 

America the Melting Pot

America was brown (full of Natives and some Mexicans) before it was ever full of immigrants from Europe and other parts of the world. We are a country that was filled and further developed by immigrants. America is a melting pot of cultures. My prayer is we can love and celebrate people who are different. 

A Volatile and Emotionally Charged Election

People have reported fear, anxiety, lost relationships, chest pain, and a host of issues from this election. 

I voted. I felt it was my civil duty. Yet I do not approve of the way the media handled campaigning or the mud slinging back and forth. Nor am I on the “God chose this person, get on board or go to hell train“. Why? Because God did not tell me to campaign for either person. He said, “Pray.” He said, “Love your neighbor. Love everyone. Even love your enemies.” Love does not require agreement to express honor, respect, or dignity. 

You see, God loves the entire world (John 3:16). God does not just love the people who claim Christian ideals, who vote a certain way, who look a certain way, who are a certain ethnic group, or think a certain way. He loves everyone on this planet; uniquely, passionately, and fully. 

God does not just love Americans or men. He loves the Chinese, Arab, Jewish, African, Japanese, Indian, South American, Canadian, Australian, Kiwi, European, Russian, Mexican, Native, and the entire world. God also loves and highly values women. He does not condone the mistreatment of people. God’s love, respect, and honor go to all. He loves…how He loves us. 

So how do we heal? How do we move past the insults, lewd tapes, mud slinging, accusations, shaming, fighting, and pain? 

We invite God right into the middle of the mess. We allow God to love us and bind up our wounds. We choose to forgive. 

Forgive those who are hateful. 

Forgive those who only care about winning or themselves. 

Forgive those who retaliate and seek revenge. 

Forgive those who harbor bitterness. 

Forgive those who released tapes, sound bites, and media feed that slimed us. 

Forgive those who told us support of one or the other meant we were the devil. 

Forgive those who filled our newsfeed with hatred or negativity.

Forgive those who exposed things we never wanted to know. 

Forgive those who harbor deep rooted racism or sexism or dislike based on beliefs/party affiliation. 

Forgive those committing hate crimes or unecessary unrest. 

Forgive those who pretend not to see the pain they are causing. 

Forgive those with zero compassion. 

Forgive those shaming us or calling us names. 

Forgive those who think politics are more important than loving people. 

Forgive those linking Christianity with promotion for White Supremacy. God is not racist by the way. He created one human race. Jesus was born into Middle Eastern Jewish lineage. If we hate anyone, God says we do not know Him (1 John 4:8). 

Forgive those who pretend racism and sexism do not exist in the world and in the church. 

Forgive those who hate followers of Jesus and His teachings. 

Forgive those who hurt us over this election. 

We forgive because God has forgiven us. We forgive because if we do not, we are not forgiven. 

Then we love! See the words of Jesus below. 

Luke 6:32-36 the Message (MSG)

“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.”

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

God love is so much higher! It costs us greatly to walk in His love and not pride…To walk in His love and not fear…To walk in grace and mercy instead of anger, rage, retaliation, and pain. Love is higher. 

I will not say it is easy. I have been saddened to my core. I am a thinker, not a feeler and this has still moved me to weeping. 

What I can say is hidden wounds do not heal. Our country and the entire world desperately need Jesus. There is no politician that can fix us. We need God. My prayer is we turn to Him. I pray we see God as He is and not the God made in our own image. 

• Wherever you are, you are loved. 
• Whatever your gender, you are respected, honored, and loved. 
• Whatever your country of origin, you are loved. 
• However you voted, you are loved. 

You see the love of God is based on who He is, not all the externals of our culture. 

May the healing begin! 

May you and I be instruments of love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy in the days and years to come. 

You are deeply loved and prayed for! 

Love, 

Erin Lamb