2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 13:11-13 “And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.” (MSG)

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“Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

You get the idea that an attitude of gratitude is largely up to us. God has done everything necessary for us to experience love, peace, and unity. If we’re not experiencing those things, it’s not God’s fault.

I read a book years ago that said, “We’re about as happy as we want to be.” I’m guessing there are a whole lot of unhappy people today. There always are after an election. Also, a whole lot of people are quite happy indeed. 

Between time-bound results and timeless truth, our moods ought to be shaped by truths that stand the test of time. God is in charge here. He seeks our highest and best in all things, and we can get along even when we disagree if his love, peace, and joy overflow from our hearts because of our deep and abiding walk with him. 

Today’s a good day to find points of agreement and place our energies there. 

Today’s a good day to celebrate what is good, right, just, fair, and kind. 

Today’s a good day to give thanks that we live in a nation where the reins of power transfer peacefully. 

Today, we can live with gratitude. We can be thankful regardless of how we view last night’s results. The Apostle Paul’s words to a contentious group of people help us know how to navigate today. 

“And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.”
(The Message)

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I will gratefully live in alignment with the God of love and peace. 

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Our Father, thank you that you’re in charge here, and we are not. Thank you that we don’t have to follow the dictates of a ruler who thinks he’s you. Thank you that restoration, encouragement, unity, peace, and love are not only possible but plentiful when you reign in and through our lives. How could we not thank you for how good you are? Amen.