When The Wrong Political Persons Wins

How should you respond if the one you voted for doesn’t win? Should you keep posting hate messages or prayers?

Why are politics not only heated, but hateful, disrespectful and just plain mean? Why do neighbors, friends, even churches split over names on ballots and colors on maps?

It’s not just today, America has been pulling at the seams for years. Our house is divided. Jesus himself said: “If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall” (Mark 3:24 NCV).

Some cheer, others rage. Some scream for change, others demand tradition. And in the middle of all the noise, I think the Apostle Paul’s words are spot on - he said:

“All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1–2 NCV)

But here’s what makes this verse even more meaningful: Paul wrote this during the Roman Empire. Think about that.

The Roman government was not Christian. It was pagan, oppressive, and often brutal. Christians were misunderstood, persecuted, and eventually martyred. And still, Paul said: “yield to the governing authorities.”

He didn’t say support evil. He didn’t say abandon discernment. He said: “trust God’s sovereignty, even when the leadership seems godless.”

No ruler rises unless God allows it. That truth should humble us, even when we strongly disagree with those in power.

What does this mean practically in a divided America?

First, it means stop panicking. God is not surprised by elections. Your favorite candidate didn’t win? Your least favorite did? He’s still God. His plan still unfolds.

Second, yield doesn’t mean blind allegiance. When the government calls for something that contradicts God’s Word, you obey God. Always. “We must obey God, not human authority.” (Acts 5:29 NCV)

But we also must guard our hearts. Too many people today treat politics like a religion, casting their “opponents” not just as wrong, but evil.

But Jesus didn’t say, “They’ll know you by your opinions.” He said, “They’ll know you by your love.” (John 13:35 NCV)

When we dehumanize people on the “other side,” we don’t reflect Christ, we reflect the culture. So the question becomes: Are you more discipled and influenced by your newsfeed or by God’s Word?”

I think if we are honest with ourself, it’s easy to be humble when your side is in power. But what about when it’s not? That’s where trust shows up.

Actually, trust in God, trust in the Holy Spirit and trusts in Jesus always shows up when things are not going our way. That’s where character grows.

You don’t have to agree with a leader to honor the position. You don’t have to be silent to be respectful. You don’t have to compromise your convictions to love your neighbor.

Just yourself today: Am I living more as a partisan or a disciple? Am I trusting in a party or in the providence of God? Am I more passionate about being right, or about being Christ-like?

When Paul wrote these words, Rome ruled the world, and the church still grew. It still thrived. It still changed history.

When things don’t go our way (and I know this is easy for me to say today) - God is still in control - always.

LORD, we should pray for the one we didn’t vote for. We should desire you will lead the leader. We may not like the pilot of the plane, but we sure do want to pray for him. Help us trust you - IJNIP amen ♥️