Relax

It was Election Day, and I had two choices.  I could go vote, then go to the office and pretend to try to get my work done when in fact I was just hovering over election “news” that came across my Facebook feed; or I could go vote, then take the day off and play board games with Tracie.  Guess which door I picked.

       Tracie asked me early Tuesday what I was hoping for.  I said, “To play 10 games.”  We managed 11.  And my time was much better spent than if I had stressed out over factors beyond my or anyone’s control.  Watching returns is one thing; we did a good bit of that.  Watching live feeds all afternoon about which votes are being repressed, which verdict will lead to the biggest riots, and why James Comey should be drawn and quartered in the town square — that’s just boring.  And pointless.  And stressful.

Killing fog monsters in Adventure Land.  That’s relaxing.

I’ll tell you what else helped me relax.  A few months of prayer.  Reminding myself daily that the decisions of men do not affect the sovereignty of God.  Lowering my expectations for politicians as agents for spiritual change.  Abandoning hope for finding heaven on earth.  A deliberate effort to let my mind linger on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute” (Philippians 4:8).

The great thing about this relaxation program is, it works just as well after the fact.  Whether things go for or against your candidate of preference, you can keep pursuing your policy of faith and hope; then, whether or not you get your tax cut or spending increase, you sleep just fine.  “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).