How to Foster Peace and Respect in Our Schools After the Election
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You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).
At the time of this writing, I do not know who will win the election. But, I am sure some will celebrate the results, while others will be disappointed, even despairing. Regardless of the outcome or whom we voted for, I am writing to encourage us to respond with hearts and minds at peace, trusting God, who ‘removes kings and sets up kings.’ I’m also writing to encourage us to show respect for all, neither gloating over nor demeaning the ‘other side.’
Elections and the Providence of God
In Ephesians 4:14, Paul warns us against being tossed back and forth by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine. While this verse explicitly addresses doctrinal stability, we can apply it to all life’s circumstances, including the outcome of an election. Though the world is frequently in turmoil with political strife, God calls his people to remain firmly anchored in an unwavering trust in His good and wise providence.
Providence is a word seldom used by contemporary Christians. That is unfortunate because understanding the doctrine of providence can bring peace to anxious hearts and minds.
Theologians define providence as God’s active role in sustaining, guiding, and governing everything that happens, including human decisions, for His purposes and glory. He works through secondary causes—for instance, the laws of physics and human choices—to accomplish His will. Nothing happens by chance because God is working out His will in all events, both good and evil (Isaiah 45:7)1, for His glory and the good of His church: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). What is true for the individual believer is true for the universal church in all places, at all times, in all circumstances. It is true for all Christians, regardless of the outcome of any election. If God does not control all things, including the outcome of an election, Romans 8:28 cannot be true.
There are many powerful illustrations of God’s providence. The most profound illustration of God’s sovereign providence is the crucifixion of Christ. In Acts 2:23, Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost: “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Theologians interpret ‘foreknowledge’ as God foreordaining or determining events according to His will. God is not a passive observer of history or a mere responder to human actions; He decrees all that comes to pass. Peter tells us that though humans are responsible for their actions, God’s sovereign purpose is fulfilled through those actions.
God ordained the death of His Son for our salvation. He is also sovereign over the actions of civil authorities (John 19:11), including the outcome of elections and the leaders placed in positions of authority: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21). Other verses affirming God’s sovereign appointment of those in authority include Romans 13:1ff, Proverbs 21:1, Psalm 75:6–7, and Jeremiah 27:5.
Trusting God’s providence does not mean that the outcome of an election is unimportant or that we should stoically ignore the issues at stake. Elections matter, and we are called to be biblically informed, responsible citizens. However, the lasting peace Jesus promises is not dependent on election results. It comes by placing our trust in God and in His wise, holy, and sovereign Providence.
Biblical Responses to Election Results
I encourage us to respond biblically, regardless of the election’s outcome. Jesus calls Christians to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–14). To faithfully fulfill this calling, our words and actions must be distinct from the world’s. Here are a few ways we can faithfully live as salt and light.
Pray for elected officials
Prayer should be our first response before and after an election. Paul instructs us to pray for our leaders regardless of party or our vote. He urges Timothy: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
Prayer is a holy response and more effective than our anger or anxiety. Pray, don’t panic.
Honor authorities
God commands us to obey and honor civil authorities unless they command us to disobey Him. As Titus 3:1–2 instructs: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people”—which includes all government officials and the “other side,” regardless of party and whether we voted for them or not. Similarly, Peter says, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor”(1 Peter 2:17).
Overcome evil with good
Paul tells us that the weapons of our spiritual warfare are not of this world (2 Corinthians 10:3ff). In Romans 12:21, he tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Unrighteous anger and verbal abuse, online or offline, are of this world; they are not of the Holy Spirit. We overcome evil not through unrighteous anger and lashing out but by embodying the gospel in our conversations and actions. We overcome evil by promoting justice and righteousness and by reflecting the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). The fruit of the Spirit is in sharp contrast to the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19–21).
We are to be people reflecting the fruit of Spirit, not the works of the flesh.
Supporting students
The election results will elicit various reactions from students. To help them develop a biblical perspective and response, teachers should engage students in respectful, thoughtful conversations about God’s providence, human choice, and how Christians should respond to the results. Romans 12:2 provides a useful starting point for these conversations: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Students may also need to be reminded of the importance of respecting others and encouraged to seek the support of trusted adults if they are anxious or upset by the results of the election.
The Blessings of a Biblical Response
When we respond biblically to an election’s outcome, we reap blessings that benefit us and positively influence those around us. These blessings manifest as peace, godly influence on others, a strong witness to the gospel, and harmony in our relationships.
Hearts and minds at peace
When the outcome of an election is not what we hoped for, it can lead to anxiety because we care deeply about our country. Caring, condemning evil, and working passionately for justice and righteousness are important. However, God calls us to do so with calm and holy hearts that trust Him. Rather than responding with anger or fear, we are to promote the good and resist evil while lifting our hearts in prayer to God: “Do not be anxious about anything [including the outcome of an election], but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). This passage encourages us to bring our anxieties to God in prayer with a spirit of thanksgiving. When we do, we demonstrate our trust in God’s good and wise providence, which results in a peace that surpasses human understanding—a peace that is not contingent on who wins an election but is firmly anchored in trusting God. Paul’s admonition is a powerful reminder to approach life’s challenges, including political outcomes, with prayer, faith, and gratitude rather than fear or anger. Jesus said: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). To ‘take heart’ means to be courageous, to find encouragement, and to remain hopeful. It’s a call to trust in Christ’s ultimate victory and to draw courage from the assurance that He has triumphed over the powers of this world, including political powers.
Peace in our relationships
A biblical response to the election’s outcome will promote unity and peace. Several passages speak to the importance of being peacemakers:
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17–18).
As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, the election outcome will inevitably come up, possibly leading to heated discussions. This presents a valuable opportunity to be a peacemaker amid political disagreement. It is a prime moment to model the gospel’s power to transform lives and promote peace, regardless of our perspective on the outcome of an election. 
A godly example for our children and students
Our response to the election will influence how our children and students view politics and integrate their Christian faith. What will our words and actions teach them? Will it be a lesson of anxiety and anger or one of trusting God, praying for authorities, and pursuing justice and righteousness in a Christ like manner?
A positive witness to the gospel
Peter urges us to “keep [our] conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against [us] as evildoers, they may see [our] good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Fear, anxiety, anger, and demeaning words are not honorable. Such behavior gives unbelievers a reason to accuse Christians of hypocrisy and fails to present a winsome invitation to the gospel. We must never forget that the honor of Christ and the testimony of the gospel are far more critical than the outcome of any election.
The Heart of a Christian in the Heat of an Election
In my Back-to-School communication, I included a link to a separate article about reflecting our biblical theme of respect during a heated election season. If you are interested, you can read that article here.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the outcome of the election, may these words from Paul encourage us to be people of inward and outward peace:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
We will soon know the election results. As we contemplate them, remember we are to be people of faith, not fear, people of courage, not contempt or cynicism, and people filled with wisdom, not worry.
Let us anchor our hearts and souls to faith in God’s good, wise, and sovereign providence so that we may be at peace with ourselves and others and be shining lights of gospel truth in a dark world.
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“I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). ↩︎