Disappointed. It’s the only word that truly describes how I feel about the last week. Well, maybe heartbroken, too.
I am disappointed in the results of the Presidential and Senate elections.
I’m disappointed at the behavior of those who stormed the capital.
I’m disappointed that President Trump didn’t condemn their actions sooner.
For the past few days, I’ve been disappointed in how government officials on both sides, the media, and far too many on social media have responded.
Part of me is a little shocked at what has happened to our nation in just a few days.
I know many feel the same way. Others feel angry. Many feel afraid.
It leaves me, asking, “Why?” “How?” “Where do we go from here?”
How should we, as followers of Jesus, respond?
What do we do? What do we say?
Now what?
Now we do what we always do.
We pray.
We seek God.
We repent—not only for the sins of our nation but for our personal sins.
Like David, we pray:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Then we do what saints have done for centuries: No matter what was going on in their world, the political environment, even in the face of persecution, they lived for Jesus.
We remember that our true citizenship is in Heaven, and our ultimate allegiance is to God and His Word.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
In this case, obeying the Bible will mean that we will have to do some hard things.
We will have to accept that God controls when kings rise to power and when they lose power. Even in a democracy.
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.” (Daniel 2:20-21)
Even if it’s hard and we have to wrestle with being disappointed with God’s choice, we must work through our disappointment and accept God allowed this to happen.
Like the saints in the New Testament, we must choose to respect those God allows into authority.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. (Romans 13:1)
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
(Titus 3:1-2)
Wow! How counter-cultural is Titus 3:1-2? Yet, that’s what the Bible says, and it is what these men lived.
Remember when they were writing this, they weren’t just being removed from social media—for them, persecution meant beatings, prison, and martyrdom. Yet, this is the standard they set.
In the days ahead, we will have to make the radical choice to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44) We do this not because what they are doing is right, but because Jesus told us to do it, and we are following His example.
Every day, we will continue to get up in the morning, live our lives for Jesus, and do our best to lead others to Him. We will use every means available to fulfill the Great Commission, and we will shine our light brightly in our words, our deeds, and our lifestyle.
Why? Because that’s what Christians do. We live for Jesus. We obey the Bible. We spread the Gospel.
No one ever said following Jesus was easy—in fact, Jesus told His disciples just the opposite. (Matthew 16:24-28)
Today is the day to do hard things—to obey the Bible even when every ounce of our flesh says, “it shouldn’t be this way.”
It’s the day to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
It’s a day to remember, like Habakkuk, that even though we may be disappointed with what God has allowed, we will say:
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT)
It is not the time for fear—it’s a time for faith.
Faith that God has the world under His control.
Faith that those who obey Him will not be forsaken.
Faith that God has a plan a purpose for your life, as we continue to obey Him and live a life worthy of our calling, He will fulfill His plan in our lives.
It’s time to rise up as followers of Jesus—to remember Who we represent and represent Him well to a disappointed, confused, angry, and anxious world.
It’s time to act like Christians.
Whatever it Takes.
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry.
