French author Marcel Proust wrote that “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” What I like about this quote is that it provides insights on how to move forward as we end one of the most divisive presidential political campaign seasons in recent memory. It may seem like the harmful rhetoric that characterized the campaign exposed problems that both Democrats and Republicans blame the other for. Perhaps seeing the election results with new eyes will help as our nation moves forward.
I remember similar divisions after other Presidential elections. For example, after the 2000 and 2004 elections, even though they were disappointed with election losses, some Democrats expressed relief that the burden and responsibility of responding to things like the terrorism of the 911 attacks rested squarely on the shoulders of the Republican-led Congress and President Bush. It didn’t seem like it at first, but eventually, Democrats saw the losses as good things.
Things seem different after this presidential election. The sentiments I’ve heard described most by my friends, family, and co-workers are disappointment, devastation, and anxiety. They are devastated that their candidate lost. They are disappointed that some would vote against their own self-interests. They are anxious about what to expect from the presidency of the man who has gleefully promised revenge on his extensive list of political enemies.
I understand those and many other emotions like anger and frustration that I’ve seen posted on social media since the election results were announced. As I’ve read the comments and even participated in some lively text messaging discussions, I still don’t know what to say other than things feel different this time. Maybe the difference is that political differences have seemingly exposed even deeper and more complicated feelings of racial bigotry, religious supremacy, and economic distrust.
I can’t say like I’ve said in the past that things might not get that bad. Nor is it as simple as acknowledging that God has a plan in spite of the uncertainty. That’s only the beginning as I believe the next few years will provide unusual challenges to trust God and his sovereign power. We may not understand why God allowed the election results. However, it could be in the loss that God wants us to more earnestly seek after him and learn to trust Him in entirely new ways.
I think we are entering into a time where we are going to have a greater reliance on scriptures like 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Turning away from sin, shunning prideful activities, and praying with intentionality are the first steps. For those of us who believe in the truth of that scripture, it provides a strategy that we can use as our nation moves forward into a very unclear future.
Shewanda Riley, PhD. is a Dallas, Texas-based author of “Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.” Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @shewanda.
