Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you II Timothy 1:14
I have a fair number of clients whose anxiety has been exacerbated by the political turmoil that we find around us in the United States. Many clients talk about the fear spurred by the erosion of trust in our institutions, and the sense of powerlessness that they feel. Whereas in the past the political parties were able to disagree, but could still work on compromise to deal with national problems, current politicians find no common ground nor even the willingness to compromise.
Indeed, many people feel fear and worry with no way to effect action that gives them a sense of satisfaction. As I have discussed, the antidote to anxiety is behavior- action of some type. What actions can people take other than to contact their representatives or senators? By all means, try that, but even then, many feel unheard in gerrymandered districts. Their voice feels small or altogether absent.
I suggest to clients that they can think very local. What I mean is, take actions that can affect those people closest to you. We all need a sense of purpose and a sense of power. Power is not power over others, but power to help change things for the better. I have suggested that clients volunteer in their own neighborhood to help people who are struggling- perhaps a disabled or elderly person. I have suggested to some, whose love is animals and pets, to help out in animal shelters.
There are many opportunities to positively affect people who are nearby. We need a sense of purpose and a sense of power to make things better for ourselves and others. So, when the political process seems distant and even untouchable, having done all that we can to register our position, then we need to change the world that is closest to us.
Prayer: Lord, help us to use what we can to help others and in so doing, to help ourselves.
Reflections of a Counselor 