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Hello everyone and welcome to today\\u2019s episode where today we talk about relationships during elections, and how we can better care for each other during them. We\\u2019re doing so at the suggestion of a listener from Pennsylvania.

There\\u2019s something about elections that stirs up emotion in people. And it\\u2019s not just in Pennsylvania. It\\u2019s the rest of the world, too.

A recent election in Kyrgyzstan, for example, prompted a large page-1 photo in the Wall Street Journal. Its caption: \\u201cVote Dispute Plunges Kyrgyzstan into Chaos.\\u201d

Expressions of political preferences polarize people. They harm relationships. They divide people more than they bring us together. A recent Facebook post describes it well:

\\u201cI think my church friends have forgotten about Jesus! It seems to be all about politics. I liked my church friends better when I didn\'t know where they stood politically.\\u201d

And in the same thread, someone else wrote\\u2026.

\\u201cI think it is good for us in the church to talk about politics. What I lament is that people take disagreement too personally and don\\u2019t know how to have a civil conversation about politics, or they see the goal of political conversation as being to win a debate rather than have a discussion to grow in understanding and think deeply in ways we haven\\u2019t before. \\u201c

I disagree with the first sentence, but I\'m all for what\'s described after it.

How can we nurture our relationships during elections?

What\'s behind all the discord?

Fear and distrust are the 2 prime emotions on display during this election season.

Political discussions and elections are about preferences.

To discuss the election it\\u2019s important to ask yourself if you have built up enough \\u201crelational capital\\u201d with someone that it can weather political differences?

Political agreement never deepens a relationship. There are too many other variables that do. Focus on those instead. And don\\u2019t assume if people are silent that they agree with your political views.

The closer and deeper the relationship, the less threatening election discussions are. The more distant the relationship, the greater the possibility of damaging that relationship.

You don\\u2019t have to share every political opinion you have with people. I think it\\u2019s better not to tip your hand, to keep people guessing. It\\u2019s less risky that way.

The relationship is more important than determining who is right or wrong in a political debate.

Ask ourselves, will discussing the election hinder or enhance our relationship with the other person?

Listen well. Ask people how they came to believe in their political position. Recognize the possibility you may be wrong on an issue

Don\\u2019t be intense, one way or the other. Intensity of feelings rarely wins you any friends.

Stay off social media and cable news. They re-traumatize people

Avoid posting political preferences on Facebook, if you care about your relationships. Don\\u2019t tip your hand. Keep people guessing.

Empathize with others, realize their fear, and don\\u2019t contribute to it. Focus on common ground and what you agree on.

If you forget everything else, here\\u2019s the one thing I hope you remember from today\\u2019s episode.

Our relationships are more important than elections, which come and go. But relationships, when nurtured well, can last the rest of our life.

Here\\u2019s what you can do in response to today\\u2019s show.

If your guy wins, don\\u2019t gloat. Don\\u2019t rejoice. It\\u2019s not going to be nearly as good as you think. Be kind. Extend grace. Be gentle. Your relationship with the person who backed the loser is more important than any election.

If your guy loses, it\\u2019s not the end of the world. Don\\u2019t sulk, whine, or otherwise complain. The sun will come up tomorrow. Acknowledge your sadness and fear. But it\\u2019s not going to be as bad as you think. Your relationship with the person who backed the winner is more important than any election.

We\\u2019ve had really bad leaders in the past and we\\u2019ll survive this one, too should the other guy have won.

And above all, remember God is in control of who our leaders are. Romans 13:1 tells us that people in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

As always, another thing you could do is let me and your fellow listeners know what resonated with you about today\\u2019s episode. You can share your thoughts in the \\u201cLeave a Reply\\u201d box at the bottom of the show notes. Or you can send them to me in an email to john@caringforothers.org.

Closing

I hope your thinking was stimulated by today\\u2019s show, to both reflect and to act. So that you will find the joy God intends for you through your relationships. Because after all, You Were Made for This.

Now for Our Relationship Quote of the Week

From the Bible, Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Election season never falls into any of these categories.

That\\u2019s all for today. See you next week. Goodbye for now.

You Were Made for This is sponsored by Caring for Others, a missionary Care ministry.

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