Well, the big day has arrived—the day we elect our new President and the leader of the free world. And we find ourselves living in a time when political conversations are not just divisive, they are downright contentious. Maintaining a calm, respectful demeanor (much less a Christian one) amid this politically charged environment is becoming harder by the day. Scratch that… harder by the minute.

With 76% of Americans believing that the country is heading in the wrong direction and 63% of people avoiding political conversations altogether due to potential conflict, our communities and families are under pressure like never before. Our country feels like a powder keg that could go off at any moment. We all feel it.

How do we share our views without losing our cool or compromising our faith?

It’s a bit like walking a tightrope, isn’t it? Placing one foot gingerly in front of the other, trying not to fall while balancing on that fine line. And let’s be honest, it can make your anxiety levels spike. I’ve had family members who have disowned each other over what they did, or didn’t do, in the voting booth.

Everybody and their brother is telling you WHAT to think right now, aren’t they?
(I would advise spending more time on your knees for the answer to that question, btw.)

But next to no one is offering guidance on HOW TO EXPRESS what you think…

If one thing is clear in this politically combustive climate, we could use some help with our disposition and demeanor in expressing our deeply held beliefs. Ahem. The truth is… Christians ought to be remarkably different than the world when expressing our views… but too often we aren’t. Maintaining a grace-filled witness during politically charged conversations is one of the greatest challenges we face as Christians in today’s polarized world.

And I’ll be perfectly honest, Moms & Dads… I have screwed up in this department before. Royally. And I’ve been burned a time or two. Or fifty. As someone who loves a good political discussion, I have allowed the thrill of the debate to get the better of me on more than one occasion. And I’ve felt that hot, Holy Spirit conviction burn my soul from the bridges I’ve torched.

So maybe you are like me and you need to tone things down, or maybe you prefer to remain silent on these issues and you really need to dial things up and find your voice… either way… we need some guidelines on how to navigate these choppy waters. Can I get an amen!

So in the Episode 125 of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, I offer 7 guidelines that we, as Christians, can follow to keep our spiritual compass steady when we find ourselves in a political tsunami. They are:

1. Prioritize people over political positions. Our faith must lead our political views, not the other way around.
2. Listen. Really listen  Truly hearing out the other side can bring unexpected empathy and insight and possibly even a necessary course correction.
3. Never ridicule those you disagree with or your leaders.  Respect is key in sustaining any dialogue and honoring Christ.
4. Offer constructive solutions, not just criticism. Maybe you recognize a problem because God has called you to be part of the remedy.
5. Do NOT assume a motive. Critique methods, not motives. This keeps the focus on actions, not personal attacks.
6. Don’t burn bridges… instead, build them. Connection, not division, is our goal.
7. Pray for our country and its leaders.  It’s hard to hate someone who is on your prayer list. 

(Don’t forget to download my list of Scriptures BELOW to pray over our nation and the bookmark listing our leaders.)

Let’s embody these godly principles and be remarkably different than the world when it comes to our political exchanges. Let’s truly represent Christ’s teachings in how we vote and in how we discuss the hot button topics of our day. Remember, parents, you have the unique power to guide your children through these tumultuous waters with wisdom and grace.

Please join me as I unpack each of these guidelines with powerful and poignant stories of relational triumphs and epic fails. Let’s explore together how we can maintain our Christian witness in the midst of political turmoil. You can listen to the full episode  on Life Audio by clicking on the image below:

Or you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And please consider giving CP/CW a 5-star rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify. That would make my day!

To receive a list of Scriptures to pray over our country and a bookmark with our nation’s leaders, subscribe HERE.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

“As a Christian, How Involved in Politics Should I Be?” (by Catherine Segars)

“How The After Party Curriculum Is Sowing Political Confusion in the Church” (by Natasha Crain)

Ephesians 6:12

John 13:35

1 Peter 2:13-17

1 Timothy 2:1-2