There are only 85 days left.
Now some of you are counting on your fingers and toes and have determined I must be wrong; there are 62 days.
Nope it’s 85 and how do I know? Because I am not talking about the presidential election. I am thinking of Thanksgiving.
The irony is not lost on me in what may be the most divided time in recent American history politically, we will collectively pause and give thanks for friends, family, and hopefully God. On these, we seem united even if we quickly return to the pathology of blame, victimization, despair, and apathy.
Is there a way in which we might buttress ourselves ahead of time? Can we blunt the seeming inevitability of division and strife? I think so.
In some passages of scripture, a subtle psychology emerges that can influence our attitudes regardless of our circumstance. One is given by a man named Paul. He suggests that “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Sounds reasonable and simultaneously counterintuitive to what we expect to gain in the daily offerings of news cycles.
For instance, why do we not start our mainstream media news, and other news sources for that matter, with what is good among us? I would like to know about the heroism of a police officer, the sacrifice of a “Mr. Holland” teacher, or the magnificence of an Arizona sunset. Can I not admire the humility of a soul who desires to remain nameless after assisting in a car accident or a stranger that returns a lost purse by placing near a front door only to be captured by a Ring Camera? Is the previously deployed military dad showing up to his daughter’s school unannounced too much to ask?
I will say I give a nod of great respect to The Standard Newspaper as it does strike a fair balance of reporting good and bad news. The ownership, staff, and crew have a tough environment in which to inform.
Returning to idea of biblical psychology, mixed in with all the unfortunate stories of characters who failed, betrayed, and let their lesser selves prevail, is a message of hopefulness. Much is to be praised.
When reading the book of Psalms in the Old Testament, for instance, countless passages focus on God’s goodness, provision, and beauty, in both creation and in His forbearance of the human condition. God is astonishingly majestic and all-together profoundly loving.
If it is true that we are created in His image, can we not also embrace the things which are praiseworthy and honorable? Sadly, it is hard to do, but not out of reach.
This is where a daily thankful heart strengthens us from the inclination to focus on the negative. Paul would later say, “…give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
We may be 62 days away from an outcome in politics, but why wait 85 days to find the good that exists today and choose to be thankful?
Don’t get psyched-out.
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
