How Should We Feel About The Events In DC?

A Pastoral Reflection

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. – Hebrews 11:10 (CSB)

This week was hard for America.

As I reflect on the events that unfolded, I find myself experiencing a flurry of emotions.  

I’ve learned over the years that when my emotions are hot, it’s better to withdraw until I can sufficiently process all that I’m feeling.

This week was no exception. Frankly, it’s been one of intense highs and lows. Here is what I’ve been up to.

On Tuesday, I was invited to attend a meeting of young Christian leaders in prayer and fellowship to discuss ways to bring Jesus to 2021. To help me focus on these conversations, I intentionally withdrew from most of my media connections when all of the events erupted.

It wasn’t until late Tuesday evening and Wednesday when I learned about all that transpired. And perhaps, like you, I felt a variety of emotions, including anger, fear, and frustration.

Our emotions are God-given but not immune to the effects of sin. The Protestant doctrine of human depravity teaches that every aspect of life is affected by the Law of Sin and Death (see Romans 7:24). So, just as our thoughts can be sinful, so can our emotions as well.

That is not to say that every negative emotion is a sin. But when our emotions get the best of us or cloud our judgment, we must be cautious.

Anger, when allowed to go unchecked, is just as sinful as coveting our neighbor’s possessions. Indeed, anger itself was the undoing of Cain in Genesis 4.

This past year has brought the very worst in so many dear Christians, those whom I love and cherish. I know their hearts, but the rhetoric of politicians and news agencies has gotten the best of them. So they lash out on keyboards via social media or intentionally withdraw from family members because of dissenting views.

Ironically, I’ve had conversations with people that politically fall on opposite sides but profess love for Jesus.

There is nothing wrong with disagreement but should it break fellowship, particularly among our Christian family?

I hope that it would not. But sadly, it can. That is the effect of the fall. That is the effect of sin.

The Apostle Paul taught in Galatians that the “fruits of the Spirit” include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so on (Gal. 5:22). Notice the emotions that are implied in Paul’s list. As followers of Jesus, we are to exude these virtues even amid dire circumstances.

So let me encourage you to rise above the fray and recognize that this world is not our home, but in the words of the author of Hebrews — we are “looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).

For the Kingdom of God,

Pastor Jonathan