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Trusting God During Political Change: Anchoring Your Mind and Heart

Liberation Lunes

November 4th, 2024

Yesterday, I wandered into an old country store and looked down, surprised to see a stack of newspapers—a rare sight in today’s digital world. But as I read the headlines—“America on Edge” and “The United States of Anxiety”—my initial nostalgia quickly faded. The media was at it again, amplifying fear and tension, stirring up the very anxiety it reports on. If it doesn’t bleed, it doesn’t lead. It’s a relentless cycle of negativity that can overwhelm and exhaust us if we’re not careful.


Thankfully, we have choices. This morning, I listened to an uplifting sermon from Life Church titled “When You’re Under Attack” (you can watch it here), and it reminded me of the power we have in choosing where we focus. I can choose to fill my mind with headlines that stoke fear, doomscroll through social media, or turn on the news and let it flood my spirit. Or, I can choose to focus on what is true, noble, right, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

You see, our minds and souls are precious; we have the power to guard them.


Tomorrow is Election Day, and many of us feel a mix of excitement, anxiety, and even dread. With so much at stake and media outlets constantly feeding us information, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. But during times like these, one truth keeps me grounded: God is in control. No matter who ends up in the Oval Office, my faith reminds me that true stability comes from God, not from the shifting sands of politics.


It’s natural to care deeply about our country’s future, but when we tie our emotional well-being to each news cycle, we risk spiraling into anxiety, anger, or despair. Last week, I shared some practical tools for managing political anxiety in my post, "From Anxiety to Empowerment: Reclaiming Your Mental Health During a USA Election." This week, I’d like to dive deeper into how faith, hope, and love can anchor us through uncertain times. We’ll look at both Biblical principles and mental health tools to keep our spirits grounded.


Identity Politics and Its Impact on Mental Health

With each election, identity politics—the practice of aligning political views around race, religion, gender, and other group identities—grows more intense. While it can raise awareness on important issues, it also risks creating division, making us feel like we’re constantly choosing sides. When we view the world through a strict “us vs. them” lens, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or even fearful of rejection. Here’s a look at how identity politics can affect mental health, and some simple ways to guard against its impact:

  • Group-Based Identification: Political perspectives become tied to group identity, making opposing views feel personally challenging.

  • Us vs. Them Mentality: This mindset fosters division, leaving little room for open dialogue or individual perspectives.

  • Pressure for Group Loyalty: The need to align with every view of one’s group can feel stressful, especially when it conflicts with personal beliefs.

  • Social Media Amplification: Social platforms can create echo chambers where differing views feel exaggerated and our own views feel reinforced.



How Identity Politics Can Contribute to Anxiety and Depression

  • Increased Stress from Conflict: Constant exposure to divisive issues can lead to emotional fatigue and a sense of helplessness.

  • Fear of Rejection: Anxiety about meeting group expectations can harm self-esteem.

  • Loss of Individuality: Pressure to conform can diminish our sense of self, leading to confusion and disorientation.

  • Over-Consumption of Social Media: Endless polarizing content can heighten anxiety.

  • Feeling Out of Control: When politics feels overwhelming, it can create feelings of hopelessness and a sense that positive change is beyond reach.


Reclaiming Control Through Faith and Personal Choice

So, how can we counteract these mental burdens? Anxiety and depression often stem from a sense of lost control. But as Viktor Frankl reminds us, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” It’s in our response that we find our power and our peace.


Anchoring ourselves in faith and choosing mental health practices that build resilience can protect both our spiritual and mental well-being. Here are some practical tools, blending Biblical wisdom and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, to help support inner peace—no matter the political climate.


5 Practical Steps to Finding Peace During Political Change

  1. Recognize and Challenge Your Thoughts- When facing overwhelming news, pause and examine your thoughts. Are you jumping to worst-case scenarios? Are you assuming that a particular outcome will ruin your life? Challenge these thoughts and ground yourself in what is true.

    Biblical Encouragement: Philippians 4:8 reminds us to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right.”

  2. Anchor Yourself in Gratitude- Gratitude shifts our perspective to blessings rather than stressors. Each day, I write down things I’m grateful for and thank God for them. It’s simple but effective in keeping my heart focused on God’s goodness.

    Biblical Encouragement: 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

  3. Limit Media Consumption- Constant news exposure can increase stress. Setting limits on social media has helped me tremendously. Maybe try setting small limits for yourself to see if it lightens your load.

    Biblical Encouragement: Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

  4. Choose Actions That Reflect Faith and Hope- Rather than fixating on fear, take steps that align with your values. Volunteering, connecting with friends, or enjoying nature are grounding activities that bring peace.

    Biblical Encouragement: Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

  5. Rely on Prayer and Meditation- Prayer offers peace and clarity, centering our thoughts on God rather than our worries.

    Biblical Encouragement: Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”



Call to Action

If you’ve felt anxious or overwhelmed by this election season, consider trying some of these practices in your daily life. We’re not powerless. By choosing how we respond, we reclaim our peace, regardless of tomorrow’s outcome.


I currently have a few openings for those motivated to strengthen their mental health through faith-centered counseling. If this resonates with you, reach out through my website. You’re not alone on this journey; together, we can walk with faith, hope, and love.


Prayer for Peace

Father God, thank You for being our unchanging anchor amid life’s uncertainties. Help us to place our trust in You, quiet our fears, and guide our hearts to peace. Strengthen us to live in faith, finding confidence in Your will and wisdom in Your ways. Protect us and keep us focused on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Conclusion

Ultimately, our hope doesn’t rest in any political leader but in the unchanging love of God. No matter what happens tomorrow or in the weeks to come, we each get to choose how we respond and where we place our trust. For those who know Jesus, this is a time to examine our hearts. If we’re putting any candidate in a place only God deserves, we may need to recalibrate our focus.


For those still seeking, I encourage you to turn to the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, who offers real hope and calm amid the storm.


By rooting ourselves in faith, we can move forward with confidence and purpose, trusting that whatever tomorrow brings, God’s plan is good, and His love is unending.


In Service, Faith, Hope, and Love,

Diana



And now for the disclaimer to make sure you understand that YOU are responsible for YOU:

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Liberation Lunes is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The views expressed on this blog are my personal opinions and do not represent the views of any professional organizations with which I am affiliated. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) immediately. Liberation Lunes does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the blog. Reliance on any information provided by Liberation Lunes, others appearing on the blog at the invitation of Liberation Lunes, or other visitors to the blog is solely at your own risk.


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If you choose to engage with Liberation Lunes by commenting or posting and you are a client, please be aware that you may be revealing information that could compromise your confidentiality. Remember that disclosing your identity or personal details can be linked to your clinical material. As a therapist, I am bound by confidentiality and will not respond to any disclosures of this nature on this blog. I am committed to upholding the ethics and confidentiality of the therapeutic relationship, which extends to all forms of communication, following the laws and professional guidelines that govern mental health professionals. Your privacy is of utmost importance, and you are responsible for protecting it when interacting on this platform or any other public forum.





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