Friendship is Essential: Don’t Let Elections Kill Them

Posted on Apr 09, 2024 Topic : Men's Christian Living, Prophecy, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Lindsey Medenwaldt

Election season is the best time to make friends. Okay, maybe not. Some even called the 2016 election the “defriending election.” Building bridges that last when it seems like nobody is getting along is tough. The reality is that it would be counter-cultural of you to seek out friendships with people who have different viewpoints than you do. It’s just not that simple, and most of us meet our friends in our shared spaces, like work, school, and church.

Friendships inside and outside our social circles benefit our overall health, and according to a recent Pew Research poll, 61% of adult Americans say having friendships is necessary for a fulfilling life. In other words, life without friendship would be pretty empty.

But what happens when friends disagree with each other on important issues like religion or politics? We’ve seen strong friendships crumble in the wake of recent presidential elections, and the future doesn’t seem any brighter, at least if the media is to be believed. Building bridges with people who have wildly different viewpoints than we do is becoming increasingly difficult.

The good news is that bridge-building isn’t impossible, even during election cycles, and as Christians, we should strive to be counter-cultural and maintain relationships despite differences. We have examples from Scripture and modernity to follow, from Paul to Corrie ten Boom—people who boldly proclaimed their faith and loved their neighbors well, despite being faced with ridicule and death threats. The best bridge-builder of them all, Jesus, laid the foundation that we should build upon, one built on compassion, love, and truth.

As we approach another election season in the U.S., take heart! You will likely disagree with your neighbors (one or two or all) about issues or candidates. You will likely see divisive ads. The disunity will likely dishearten you. And yet, you can be a light in the darkness.

Be gracious in conversation, quick to forgive, and slow to defensiveness. Understand that your perspective is based on your experiences, while others may have different perspectives based on their own experiences. Be willing to listen and learn. This doesn’t mean compromising the truth. Instead, it means following Jesus’ example by asking questions, speaking with gentleness, and being compassionate toward others. See people as Jesus saw them in Scripture: as image bearers of our Creator and people who need to be reconciled with the Father.

So, instead of dreading the upcoming election, consider it an opportunity to practice the skills we’ve learned from Jesus. Be a bridge-builder in a time when it seems like it’s easier to burn them down instead of building them up. Don’t forget the hope within you—the gospel message. Use that hope to build bridges with others one brick at a time with love, truth, and genuine friendship.