Grieving for Our Nation

As a former Chaplain and Grief Counselor, I am uniquely qualified to recognize the signs of grief that I see in the hearts and minds of so many Americans today. There are many “stages” of grief, and I see people in different places in their grief processes, but it’s definitely grief for so many.

Some of us recognized the warning signs earlier than others, and tried to warn them, so it could be stopped. For us, the grief has been different, because we felt betrayed by our friends when they didn’t listen, or called us names and “unfriended” us.

For many others, who dug in their heels behind this administration, believing the propaganda, they’re dealing with shock and shame, for having been deceived. I have received messages from several who are in this stage. They have apologized to me, and have thanked me for continuing to post.

I could have easily just stayed silent, but God wouldn’t let me. I post because He told me to, to let others who’ve felt the same way, to know they weren’t alone. It’s especially not easy in such a Red State, but I have been obedient, as I will try my best to continue to do.

We are ALL Americans, and for most of us, that came with a set of ideals that had been ingrained in us, from our grandparents who fought fascism in WW2, and our parents who fought in an unpopular, and politically motivated war in Vietnam.

We watched the effects that McCarthyism had on our nation, and the hunt for communists.

We learned about the fights for equality in the Civil Rights movement, through the 1960’s and 70’s, and we experienced the next few decades, trying to right the wrongs of the past.

We believed that we were finally making progress in change, for the good of all.

We believed that ALL men are created equal.

We believed that America was “the good guy” and that our allies were our friends.

We believed that Americans helped the needy, in other nations that weren’t as blessed as we are.

Yes, we still had partisan issues, and different ideas about how to solve our nation’s problems, but we were ALL Americans and didn’t question each other’s Patriotism.

We didn’t try to force a Godless form of Christianity on the whole country, twisting scriptures to fit agendas of violence and control of others.

We believed that if we were true Christ Followers, that our Love would be a light unto the world, and that by loving others, they would be drawn to that light.

He NEVER forces His will on anyone, and it’s NOT our job to do that either.

We believed the songs that we sang as little children. Things like;

“Jesus loves the little children.

All the children of the World.

Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world!”

Yes, many of us are grieving the loss of those values, and pray that our nation can course correct before it’s too late. Unfortunately, the longer this goes on, the more “normal” the depravity becomes.

Our allies question our loyalty and SANITY. We’re already being called an Authoritarian regime by International watch dog groups. We’ve created wars and chaos in regions around the world, crippling many economies, which will soon be our own too.

We’ve allowed lies and coverups, to protect one man, and his cronies who are billionaires, all while the “middle class” is fighting to pay bills, and the poor are simply fighting to eat.

The grief is real, and made worse because our “friends” are silent and not only allowing it to happen, but supporting it as it happens. I’m so disappointed in my grief stages, in so many people, who I thought I knew their character.

The good news that I can give, after years of working with grief, is that our Heavenly Father is not surprised by anything, and He knows the End from the beginning.

He is a God of love and He will be with us, every step of the way through this journey. We may not understand why it’s happening, but we can trust Him to hold us in His hands, and carry us on.

Yes, Trump is a part of the “plan”. I just know he isn’t the part that so many religious people have claimed him to be. God knew about Pharaoh, Caesar, Hitler, and every other Godless leader throughout history, and allowed their rules, often for reasons we will never understand until we get to Heaven.

I will continue to pray for our nation, and for people to wake up before it’s too late, if it isn’t too late already.