God is on His throne, My Friends! Cease the Worry About Politics and News!

This guest post comes from Teronya Holmes of Tennessee, mother of two active boys and wife to her husband of nearly three decades. Teronya loves her many roles which include mom and writer, volunteering, and her other varied passions which include travel, hiking, skiing, kayaking, biking, reading, and photography. 

I’m noticing a LOT of posts on social media in the past few days from folks who are expressing their deep concern and worry for everything.

And I’m starting to “worry” a little bit myself…because, frankly, I’m just not worried about all this stuff.

And I’m kind of excited because that’s kind of a new thing for me!

I’m too busy over here just working to keep my focus on God, and live day by day just walking with Him, as closely as possible.

And it’s changing EVERY aspect of my life, slowly and surely.

You may have noticed over the past year or two, I’ve pretty much refrained from polarizing and political commentary on my social media stuff – purposefully.

The Lord has really shown me what a waste of my time, energy, and mental status (i.e., sanity) it was to engage in that kind of (attempted) communication.

And, I have learned a few things from the time I’ve spent studying Scripture, reading good books, and praying instead of reading and watching the news, reading political commentary on social media, and engaging in so-called “discussions” with others on here. It’s amazing how MUCH we can learn, about ourselves, others, the world, and God when we tone down the rhetoric, hush, and listen to the Lord instead of the bunk out there for a change.

Here are a few of the most important things I’ve learned:

1. There is absolutely NO VALUE in watching or reading the news on a daily basis. Seriously. I used to devour it ALL, from both the “right” and the “left”, and now, I MIGHT tune in and read the news online if there is something extremely important taking place. And then I’m very careful to search out a news source that is as impartial as much as possible (not easy).

2. I’ve learned that it’s not hard for me to think the best of and TRULY love and care for ANYONE and EVERYONE if i focus on THE INDIVIDUAL, and how much I love and care about that person, instead of concerning myself with their politics and differences.

3. I’ve learned that no matter which way I “lean politically”, vote, or even how my philosophical/religious beliefs lie, those things don’t matter that much in my personal relationships with others.

4. I’ve learned that no matter how much I feel I must support a cause or belief, I really need to pray first, and determine if my involvement in the fray is worth sacrificing a friendship, or the feelings/trust of another human being.

5. I’ve learned that there is no political or humanitarian belief that is as important as my relationship with Christ, or important enough to side with or “fight for” if it may prove to be a stumbling block to another in their professed or potential relationship with Christ.

6. I’ve learned that politics and humanitarian issues are NEVER just cut and dry. There are nuances and minute details of the issues that we must seek to understand, think through to EVERY POTENTIAL end result, and then attempt to put ourselves in the shoes of another in order to try to understand how our personal idea of the “perfect solution” may not actually be so perfect.

7. I’ve learned that we cannot afford to be so sure of ourselves, our politics, our humanitarian ideals, our leaders, or even our worldly governments. I don’t know ANY of them that are perfect, or any individual who makes the right decision every time. We can ONLY place our assuredness in ONE THING – and that is GOD, who never errs.

This verse below popped up on my online Bible study app this evening, and it is so fitting, and brought this big ol’ long post on, so I just want to encourage you to read it, ruminate on it, and let it hang around with you the next few days as you pray to overcome the worry and concern you are feeling:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

And, friends, that good includes taking your focus off the worries of this world and putting ALL of it on GOD, and asking Him to lead you in how you can then focus on the worries of OTHERS!

God is on His throne, my friends! Cease the worry!