One way I'm staying sane for the next two months
what are yours?
I’m still absorbing the results of the 2024 election here in the US. My posture has been to not quickly react publicly, or overreact without prudence, but rather to let some dust settle on what feels like a new and uncertain landscape. We have elected as our country’s leader a man who is not inclined to follow the norms that have kept this country stable. Some are excited by this, some are fearful. I appreciate Jemar Tisby’s admonition to all of us to do things that will help keep us sane, centered, and healthy for the next two months and the years that follow.
Personally, I know that response—written words, spoken words, action, conversation, creation—will be called for. I’m currently content to absorb these election results, understand what they say and mean, better understand the demographic analysis and what that means, and Pray, Listen, and Trust that God will make the right words and action clear when the time is right. So I’m absorbing, praying, and listening. The times to speak and act—what to say and what to do—will become clear, and discovered in part through conversations with others.
In the meantime, here’s one discipline I’m finding helpful to maintain peace.
I’m trying not to read articles about the future, projections about what might happen in various spheres. If it’s about the future—what President Trump may or may not do, what might happen if (fill in the blank), who might do what when if they are appointed—I try not to read it. It’s too much speculation when too much is so uncertain.
Case in point: Matt Gaetz. I’m glad I didn’t read anything about what he might do over the past 8 days if he would be Attorney General, because he’s not going to be the Attorney General. I didn’t waste too much anxiety on his potential appointment, for which I’m grateful. At the same time, it was noteworthy to recognize the sort of person President-elect Trump would want in that position, and what that says.
There’s a lot to be said for discerning what might be coming down the pike in order to prepare for it. But, at this point, I’m trying to read only about what happens, as opposed to what might happen. That might change after January 20, 2025, but I’m going to try to stick with it at least til then.
Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6.34, NRSV). A realtor I once worked with paraphrased Jesus, “There’s no use borrowing tomorrow’s troubles”.
So I’m absorbing, aware, sensitive, praying, listening. I’m confident that as God might call for something to do, also that God can make that abundantly clear in the right time.
How are you staying sane in this anxious time?