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It is “the most wonderful time of the year”… No, not Christmas, but election season, and on top of that, it’s Presidential election season!
Okay, I’m just saying that tongue-in-cheek, but get ready—for the increase in political ads on TV, radio, email, and social media is just starting to ramp up to a disproportionate level compared to all other ads coming our way! Each candidate will (hopefully) be touting their plan for the country (and hopefully not tearing down the other candidate with degrading comments and commentary).
Yet, as believers, we ought to be engaged in our political processes. For many years, I just put my head in the sand and ignored the process. Many, many times, I didn’t vote! But times have changed for me, and I’ve realized that my voting can help shape not only today’s economy and world but also the world of my granddaughter, who is now 3 years old.
So, how do we live as Christians in an election year with all its mess, lies, and baggage, along with its potential hopes and dreams of a brighter tomorrow? That’s the discussion of today’s episode, so let’s jump right in.
How should Christians think and operate leading up to an election?
Several things should guide our thoughts and actions leading up to the election:
God is sovereign. Trust Him with the process. He sets up rulers and takes them down. We have to trust that as much as we engage in the process, God is ultimately behind everything.
- Daniel 2:20–22 [20] “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. [21] 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; [22] he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (ESV)
- “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17, NIV84)
- “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33, NIV84)
There are so many people convinced that our President is a puppet and doesn’t make any decisions—that it’s just the power brokers behind the scenes calling all the shots. Whether or not the “deep state” is a thing, these conspiracy theories do have some validity in that there is someone behind the scenes calling the shots—but probably not who they think it is!
Who is calling the ultimate shots? It is none other than our sovereign God, who is orchestrating all events in human history to bring about His good purposes and ends. So relax! Keep trusting. Amid all the mess, deception, lies, and truths out there, remember that God is still the one making all the ultimate decisions, and He is the one turning or hardening the hearts of mankind!
Pray. Because God is sovereign, we should pray for the process. We should pray for the candidates, for wisdom, good dialogue, truth, and, more so, for the Lord’s quick return! During this election season, consider spending more time talking to your Heavenly Father about your political and economic concerns than you do to your friends on social media.
Engage in the process. Vote! Have constructive dialogue and debate. Listen to the concerns of others. Oftentimes, there is a good concern masked behind bad policies. If we can show that better policies address the concerns in a more wholesome way, maybe we will be better at winning hearts and minds. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19, NIV84)
Disconnect from hype and hysteria. Stop your insanity feeder! Stop going back to websites, channels, or media outlets that simply feed your fears and paranoia. Media outlets especially get paid based on your reaction to their stories. They want to sell ads and get viewership. Remember, fear and sensationalism sell.
What about my stewardship?
We hear lots of concerns and questions about personal investing from our clients and those who attend our Stewardship Lifestyle Seminars countrywide every single election cycle! So, here is the question: Do I change my investing approach just because my candidate wins or doesn’t win?
It really depends on a lot of factors, such as: How much control does the winning party have? It is important to know that in our United States government, there is a separation of powers among the branches of government. Most of the time—almost 99% of the time—we recommend NOT making any changes! Follow your long-term plan. Don’t freak out! Don’t waste emotional energy trying to figure it all out beforehand.
To use the words of former Philadelphia 76ers general manager and president Sam Hinkie: “Trust the process.”
Historically, a divided government where Congress (which holds the “purse strings”) and the White House are not the same party means the stock market performs better.
Investors should focus on fundamentals and stick with their plans.
No matter which side of the aisle investors sit on, this election cycle is likely to bring more surprising news headlines, along with economic and emotional ups and downs. It can be tempting to put your money where your convictions are—whether you feel optimistic or pessimistic about November 2024—but trust the process that your financial professional has put before you.
“Historically, financial markets have largely been unbothered by both presidential and midterm elections.” Trying to adjust your investment strategy in the hopes of capitalizing on an anticipated post-election swing in the markets could end up backfiring on you. “If you’re an investor, I would suggest that this shouldn’t be something you focus on,” says Fidelity’s Denise Chisholm, director of quantitative market strategy.
Market moves are more likely to be driven by market and economic fundamentals, such as corporate earnings, interest rates, and other economic factors. “While political headlines may at times cause short-term ripples in the market, long-term, for stocks, bonds, and other investments, returns seem to be driven much more by the fundamentals of the underlying asset classes,” says Naveen Malwal, institutional portfolio manager with Strategic Advisers, LLC. As such, Strategic Advisers, LLC, is more focused on economic fundamentals, such as the stage of the US business cycle, the level and direction of interest rates, the job market, and business activity.
Rather than trying to predict near-term political or market cycles, most investors would be better served by adopting a thoughtful long-term financial plan that’s suited to their needs and sticking with it. “We believe such a plan should be based on an investor’s goals, their risk tolerance, and other considerations regarding their specific situation as an investor or as a family,” says Malwal. “But we don’t believe market history supports factoring in election cycles when managing long-term investments.”
Or as Jurrien Timmer, Fidelity’s director of global macro, puts it, “Elections tend to have less impact on the markets than politicians may like to believe.”
TL;DR
Here’s a good two-word answer for those considering a major financial adjustment because of this election year: JUST CHILL. Stop making assumptions about what will or won’t happen. Politics gets way too much credit—and blame—for what happens in the stock market. Where the market is has more to do with where we are in the business cycle than anything else. JUST CHILL. When financial anxiety grips you, spend more time talking to God than you do your social media connections about your latest fears and concerns.
To think historically about our recent Presidential past…
Should Clinton be credited for the dot-com rally?
Should Bush be blamed for the housing burst?
Should Obama be credited for a massive stock market recovery?
Is it really these guys? In reality, it has more to do with where we are in the business cycle than any President in office.
What should our response be to any possible outcome?
How do we respond if “our candidate” loses?
Continue to Live Out Christian Values: Regardless of the political landscape, Christians are called to live out the teachings of Christ. This means loving others, seeking justice, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Political outcomes should not deter a Christian from pursuing the mission of the Church and living out the Gospel.
Lament: The Psalms are plentiful with laments over wickedness and evil when the wicked prevail, and a calling out to God to stand for the oppressed. If you, a believer, are distraught by election outcomes, consider taking time to lament over the wickedness that prevails. Cry out to God, cast your burdens on Him, and rest in His sovereignty!
What does lament look like?
Lament is expressing sorrow and grief over travesty, injustices, sicknesses, death, or other brokenness within a fallen world. This includes the ramifications of sin within a fallen world and the emotional responses to those sins and how they affect you. Lament includes the emotional side of sin affecting you.
Of the roughly 50 Psalms of Lament, each one includes a particular structure:
- Approaching God
- Laying open emotions and complaints to God
- Affirmation of trust in God and His promises
- Hymn of blessing
Notice, it is not staying in the mental mess and mire! It is moving beyond it and placing your lament—your concerns, your heart—into your sovereign and loving God’s hands.
Calm confidence: No matter who becomes our president, they are better than we deserve. We know that the outcome will ultimately serve to further God’s kingdom purposes. And we can rest knowing God will complete the good work He began in us until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV84)
We should remember that God is sovereign over all things, including election outcomes. We should trust that whatever happens, God is in control and will use it for His purposes. We can have peace knowing that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Respect and Pray for Leaders: Christians are called to respect and pray for those in authority, regardless of whether they supported them.
Avoid Despair or Bitterness: It can be disappointing when a preferred candidate loses, but Christians are called to guard their hearts against bitterness or despair. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their concerns to God with thanksgiving, promising that the peace of God will guard their hearts and minds.
Engage in Constructive Dialogue: It’s important to engage with others, including those with differing views, in a Christ-like manner. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Stay Active: By maintaining faith, prayer, and active participation in society with a Christ-centered focus, Christians can respond to political outcomes in a way that honors God and reflects His love and truth.
Trust in God’s sovereignty: Dan 2:21 – He changes times and seasons, He removes kings and sets up kings.
How do we respond if “our candidate” wins?
There’s a right place for celebration, just as there is a right place for lament. There’s so much broken about how any of us gets there, that we know that even the best candidate is full of flaws, weakness, and sin. We are completely at the mercy of God to bring about the changes that any of us want to see. So celebrate respectfully. Remember, God has placed them in that position for such a time as this!
Stewardship Application
Continue to live out your Christian values.
- Lead your family well
- Be with your church
- Spend time with the Lord
- Be faithful
- And consider following the wise financial advice from your money manager.
We are all guilty of the wrath of God, but Christ, through his death and resurrection, cleansed us of our sin. We deserve hell. Anything other than that is better than we deserve. Use this election season as an opportunity to not just speak about your desired candidate with gentleness and love, but to also share about our gentle and lowly Savior.
Next Steps
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The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
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