What Do We Do Now?

The election is over.  And if the results reveal nothing else, they reveal a country that is deeply divided.  Looking at the red and blue map, the colors are split pretty evenly.  Half of the electorate is therefore happy with the results, and the other half is disappointed, perhaps discouraged.

Not much has changed as a result of the election.  The country still faces the same problems we faced prior to Tuesday.  Folks in the northeast who have not yet recovered from Sandy are probably thinking our problems have gotten worse now that they are dealing with another storm and many of them are still without electricity and water.  And as we face these same problems, the people who are tasked with dealing with and finding solutions for these problems are, for the most part, the same people who were tasked with that for the last several years.  Will these people suddenly have a meeting of the minds, put aside partisan rancor, and be willing to make tough choices to solve our problems?  The cynical side of me says "probably not."  After all, there's not much in their track record that says that will happen.  The hopeful side of me is trying to remain....well, hopeful.  Only time will tell.  We just have to wait and see, I guess.

In the meantime, what do we do now?  How do we deal with our disappointment and discouragement?

And, let's be honest here.  Disappointment and discouragement are part of life for many more reasons than just election results.  Certainly Tuesday's results have led to discouragement for many.  But what about those storm victims in the Northeast?  Are they not discouraged? 

There are many, many things in life that lead to disappointment and discouragement.  Too many to list here.  Health concerns.  Financial struggles.  Job loss.  Bereavement.  Relationships.  And the list goes on.

How do we handle it?  Where do we turn?  What do we do now?

Here's what I did yesterday.  And what I have done many times in the past when facing tough times and disappointments.  I turned to the Lord and His Word.  The old gospel song perhaps puts it best......."where could I go but to the Lord?" 

Here are a few of the passages that have brought me comfort.  I pray they do the same for you.

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:28-31 NASB)

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses; we trust in the name of the LORD, our God."  (Psalm 20:7)

"Look among the nations!  Observe! Be astonished!  Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days - you would not believe if you were told."  (Habakkuk 1:5 NASB)

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail.  Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay........For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:3,14 NASB)

"But the LORD is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth be silent before Him."  (Habakkuk 2:20 NASB)

"LORD, I have heard the report about Thee and I stand in awe.  O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of years, in the midst of years make it known.  In wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:1 NASB)

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.  The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet and makes me walk on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB, emphasis mine.)

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD."  (Psalm 27:13-14 NASB)