For The Saints With Heavy Hearts

A short pastoral word for my fellow brothers and sisters

Note: I will be writing and sending out a post tomorrow for the saints who are celebrating a Trump presidency.

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I won’t start with a Bible verse.

Though the Scriptures are a tried and true source of comfort, I understand many within the family of God are upset, distraught, anxious, depressed, frustrated, and terrified that Donald Trump was elected to be the president of the United States again. And from that deep well of emotions, some of us may be frustrated and angry at God. To hear from His Word is the last thing we want to hear.

And that is okay.

God is patient.
He moves slow.
And He is a loving Father who is willing to wait for us to turn to Him when we are ready to.

So take your time.
Guilt and shame free.

There are some of us today, who are wrestling with questions like, “If God is so loving and in control, how could He allow someone like him be in the most powerful seat in the free world? A convicted felon, someone who degrades women, etc. - it just doesn’t make sense.”

If no one told you this yet, allow me to be the first to say, these are valid thoughts and feelings, to which I am sure there is a whirlwind of them going through the depths of your heart, mind, and soul.

Too much to process.
Too much to sort through.
Paralyzing, in fact.

If that is you, I see you, I hear you, and there are many others who do.

Take. Your. Time.

For the saint with heavy hearts today, this week, the rest of the month, and perhaps even the next four years, take it all day-by-day. But do not remain there; move slow and keep an eye on what may be festering within your heart. Because when bitterness turns to resentment, there is no victory there for you in any way, shape, or form. Don’t let this moment in history and all of its ramifications, deform you away from Christ-likeness more than it needs to.

As you take it all day-by-day, journey on with Christ, though it may be hard.

Why?

It is Christ who teaches His disciples how to live under an emperor they did not agree with.
It is Christ who can repair the mistrust that may be growing in you with other brothers and sisters in the faith.
It is Christ who brings comfort and clarity in confusing and chaotic times.
It is Christ who teaches us what true authority does - it calms the winds and the waves.
It is Christ who teaches us to pursue justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, so that a watching world can see the true goodness of God.
Because at the end of the day, it is Christ who fully sees you in your pain, in your hurt, and it is Christ who can heal you from these wounds.

So in all of this pain and sadness … cling to Christ.

What the Psalmist says is true: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”
Though He may seem far, He is indeed near to you.
Lean into Christ, His heart is to comfort you today.