A message for those who are struggling with fear and anxiety over the current state of our country

I’ve been back in the US for over a couple months now, and the heaviness that hangs in the air is inescapable.

I was able to avoid the political turmoil rather easily when living abroad, but coming home it’s been shoved in my face and down my throat.

Watching my family and friends struggle with the everyday horrors that are unfolding has been difficult.

As I’ve been sitting with God, I’ve been bringing this to him, and he gave me a message, one that will probably trigger a lot of people, but it’s my hope that it encourages and helps anyone who is feeling the effects of the latest election.

We often ask how God can allow bad things to happen. I have, in light of all the recent events.

How can God allow this person to take control, again?

How can so many Christians support someone who has time and time again acted in the polar opposite of who Jesus is?

There is a major shift happening in the world, and people are rejecting so many of the old ways this patriarchal society was built on.

And I believe that God allows bad things to happen, not because he doesn’t care, but to ignite change in people’s hearts, to bring people to the end of their rope, so that they can be the catalyst for change.

So that they may stand up and fight for good, fight against the evil so prevalent in this country, to truly create a wave of revolution.

Like, I said, this might trigger some people. No matter what side you’re on of the political spectrum, no matter what you believe in, here’s  the truth:

God doesn’t make bad things happen. He is not evil.

Let me be very clear about that. If you’ve thought God intentionally and maliciously brings down suffering upon people as a form of punishment, you couldn’t be more wrong.

There is evil in this world. Evil forces that cause turmoil, division, and grief. Sickness, natural disasters, war. These things are not from God.

The world is broken. Humans are given free will. That means, we do bad shit to each other. We hurt each other. People in power sacrifice lives for more power.

God doesn’t control what we do. God doesn’t force anyone to choose him or choose good. He gives us a choice, every single second of every day.

So where is God in all this?

God can allow chaos to reign in our lives not because he hates us, but as a way to draw us to him, to make us realize that he is the ONLY one who can change our lives and save us. The ONLY one who can make things different.

God can allow horrible people to be in power, again not because he wants anyone to suffer, but as a way of waking people up, of raising up leaders and warriors who will create positive change in the world and make an impact.

I hate what’s happening in our country. I don’t agree with the things that the government is doing.

And, at the same time, I have faith in a God who is bigger than all of it.

A God who has proven to me, time and time again, that he will get me through whatever trials I’m facing.

A God who is working all things out for the good of those who love them.

A God who holds leaders accountable for their actions.

A God who loves his people and is constantly fighting for them.

Friend, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the events happening in our country, or if you are a person whose life is being directly impacted, your feelings are valid.

I see you and I hear you. Not just your opinions or thoughts or emotions, I see you. I see you as the person you are fully, who God created you to be, the person God loves dearly.

You are important. You matter.

If you have faith, I encourage you to go prioritize your relationship with God, and go deeper with him. Now don’t confuse this with the religious sentiment of, “Just trust God! Everything will be fine!”

I hate that kind of fluffy churchy crap. It’s so unhelpful and super invalidating.

I’m talking about going to God every day, drawing close to him, learning how to hear his voice, and being in relationship with him. Then you can learn how to give him your worries and fears, how to trust in his provision and how to believe in his power.

This isn’t just some magical spell, a one-and-done task, like marking something off your to-do list. This isn’t just flinging up a prayer to the universe, filled with anger and resentment, hoping it sticks.

It’s choosing, every day, to show up and commune with the divine Creator. It’s choosing surrender to God and trust him.

Even when it doesn’t make sense.

Even when all the world is telling you how everything is going to shit.

Even when you don’t want to.

If you are not a person of faith, then I encourage you to do two things:

1. Seek like-minded community that is focused on creating positive change
2. Process your emotions in a healthy, non-violent way

Having a support system of like-minded individuals will make you feel less alone, especially if the people in your life don’t understand what you’re going through and can’t see your perspective.

Find a group of people who are taking action, instead of just sitting behind their screens stewing in anxiety and letting it bubble up into rageful Instagram posts. Working towards change, fighting back against oppression, these are things you are capable of. Taking action might also make you feel less hopeless and helpless.

There is so much hate and division in the country right now, and it makes sense. There’s so much anger as well, and anger is a poison. Truly. Holding onto anger, bitterness, resentment, it’s like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.

You holding onto these negative emotions literally isn’t doing shit to the people you’re mad at. But it is impacting your mental and even physical health. (The liver stores anger, and a blocked liver can result in adrenal fatigue, breakouts and more.)

Use your emotions as fuel for change, but also intentionally choose to move through and let go of the negativity. Go to therapy. Move your body – physical movement is a powerful tool in processing emotions. Journal. Scream and punch your pillow. Seriously. These ideas might seem cliché and silly, but they can be incredibly helpful.

And thirdly, I invite you to get to know God if you’re not a person of faith. I don’t say this lightly or with religious arrogance. I understand that so many of you have been hurt by the church or by people representing Jesus, and I’m so sorry.

That being said, I can honestly say my relationship with the Lord is the deepest and truest reason why I’ve been able to get through all and any of the hardship in my life. I’ve written several posts about my personal relationship with God, and I encourage you to read through them, if this idea resonates with you at all.

To my fellow friends of faith. If you are feeling burdened by the state of our country, if your heart breaks for the injustices taking place, I also encourage you to do the same things I’ve listed above, plus one more thing:

Ask God how he wants you to show up and what he wants you to do. Ya know how I talked about everything having a purpose, how there’s a big shift happening in the world, and how God uses inconceivable things as tools to raise up people who will create change?

Yeah, I’m looking at you. God has told me that he is doing this. That he is using the events that are unfolding in the world to raise up believers who will be God’s best advocates when it comes to protecting those who are being unfairly persecuted.

God is planting those seeds of passion in your soul.

He’s opening your eyes to what is going on.

He’s allowing your heart to break so that you can step out in faith and do whatever he’s calling you to do.

He’s given you a heart for the people.

Let this be your confirmation to what the Spirit has been whispering to you. God is choosing you! He’s tired of believers letting fear hold them back from his calling over their lives.

God’s purpose for you is so much bigger than yourself and your fear.

If he has chosen you, then he’s equipped you with the skills needed to complete the task. Trust God to open the path, to lead you to who needs help, and remember that he’s always with you. Rely on him for strength and trust in him for provision and protection. He’s making the way for you, he’s with you every step of the way, and he’s fighting for you.

Much of the time, when God calls us to a higher purpose than succumbing to the patriarchal 9-5, money idolizing rat race that this country has been built on, it’s unnerving. It doesn’t make sense. It’s counter-cultural. It’s other-worldly.

I speak from personal experience when I say that every time God has given me vision or direction on something that doesn’t make sense by worldly standards, it’s resulted in massive healing, leveling up,  and  overall shifts in my life that I never could’ve achieved on my own.

Don’t be afraid. Step into what God is calling you to do. This is important. You living in this country at this exact time is important. God will be with you every step of the way.

In closing, to all my friends, don’t lose hope. Don’t succumb to the nasty spiral of fear and anxiety and worry. Be informed, yes. Don’t stew over what hasn’t happened yet. Find your community, fight back, create change, and don’t give up.

You are a resilient bad-ass, who has overcome so many trials, and you will get through this. We will get through this together. Love you, friend.