7 Reasons to Have Hope This Election Year

As November inches forward, a common refrain in churches, workplaces, and pubs is the state of our country. Almost everyone is an expert, and we all have a strong feelings about both parties’ likely candidates. To hear the majority from both sides, if the other party gets their candidate - America is certainly doomed. Celebrities are threatening to flee the country while the rest of us collectively groan.

But if we’ve learned anything from our vast dealings on social media, it’s that this – just because everyone is saying something doesn’t mean it is right, or even accurate. Although there are real concerns about the state of the Union, there is hope, there's always hope. As we get closer and closer to electing our next president, then perhaps it’s a good idea to go against the grain and spend some time thinking about some of the reasons we, as Americans and believers can have hope aplenty this election year.

We Are Informed

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With the internet and social media, it's harder to hide than ever before. Things that could fly under the proverbial radar no longer go unnoticed. If our next president does all of the scary and unethical things so many fear they will, it will be found out. Although there’s still plenty of corruption (there always will be some when this kind of power is for the taking), we see more of it now than we ever did in the past. In fact, a pimple faced teenager in his grandmother’s basement has far more power now than ever. Codes can be cracked, information can be gained, and secrets are harder to keep than ever before. That comforts me as I wrestle with whom to give my vote.

Chances Are Pretty Good That Neither Candidate Is As Bad As We Suspect

It's easy to villanize a political figure. It's almost part of the job, to be characterized in newspaper comic and late night shows - but we must be careful to keep a healthy separation between entertainment and reality. Regardless of the candidate, our worst fears are just that - our worst fears. They'll probably not cackle with evil delight upon their inauguration and set about destroying everything you love about the good ol US of A. They might have a worldview and policies that you disagree with, but chances are quite good your nightmare scenario will never come to pass.

Our Hope Is In God, Not Man

At least it should be. One of the downfalls of aligning our faith and our politics so closely, is that it's easy to assume that God HAS to work through the natural channels to effect change. Nothing is farther from the truth. All of our promises come from God, not our formal government. As wonderful as our Constitution is – Holy Scripture is better. The promises of our Lord’s faithfulness are far more secure than any promise either candidate can give us. That’s because he is God, and they are not. I know we all “know” that” – but perhaps, just perhaps we should remind ourselves of that before we start hyperventilating and wondering what will happen if THEY get elected.

God Has Done Far More, With Less

Despite what some zealous individuals might have you think on either side, this is not the proverbial end of the world. God has come through to transform a country in much more dire situations. Israel has seen his faithfulness exhibited time and again as they called out to Him for deliverance. Whether it was exile, infiltration, terrorism, or some other such tragedy – God found a way to make it work. Skeptics might be quick to point out that Israel is God’s chosen country, but we are grafted in to their promises and inheritances. God doesn’t need much to change a heart, circumstance, life, or even country. That’s kind of what makes him God with a capitol “G”.

Patriotism and Zeal for the Kingdom Are Not the Same Thing

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From the time I was knee high to a grasshopper, I heard “I’m Proud to Be an American”, “God Bless The U-S-A” in my local church. Many of us intertwine our faith and our loyalty to the red, white, and blue. They’re mixed together to such a degree that it’s easy to think that for the Kingdom of God to succeed, America must follow suit. And, although I believe it is our loving Father’s desire for all of his children to prosper and bear fruit – God is zealous for HIS Kingdom. That is the one that shall not fail. He’ll use America if her people will cooperate – but He’s certainly not required to do so.

We Are Ultimately Citizens of Heaven, Not America

This final reason piggybacks on the last point, but it’s absolutely positively vital that we remember it – we are not of this world. We are foreigners and aliens. As much as we love Old Glory, and our red, white, and blue T-Shirts from Old Navy, we belong to another land. This sounds negative, but it’s not - nations come and go. Some last several hundred or even thousands of years, while others rise up and fall before a full season has passed. But we don’t just belong to this land, we belong to our God and His Kingdom. The state of that land should be of far greater importance than a country we’ll live in for a mere 70-80 years. It might sound trite, but when compared to eternity, our little lifetime here on Earth is bit a glimpse, a weekend vacation.

Hope for America

Regardless of who wins or who loses, there is hope for America. But only if her people will see that hope and walk in it. It’s far too easy to simply complain and bad mouth someone we disagree with (I think the Bible calls that slander – so maybe we should just not do it at all). Choosing the way of hope is much harder, but like all commandments, better for us and those around us. God loves a deck stacked against Him, and isn’t intimidated in the least by a seemingly impossible situation. That’s right up his ally. The only question that remains to be asked is whether we’ll be able to believe before or after he does his mighty works. I know for me, I want to believe.

How about you? Can you think of any other reasons we can have hope in this election year? Share this article and comment below on why you see hope on the horizon.