Finding Hope in Jesus Amid Election Disappointment: A Journey Through Lament
Election seasons bring a mix of anticipation, tension, and, often, disappointment. For many, the outcome might feel like a profound letdown, stirring questions, fears, or a sense of helplessness. If you find yourself feeling this way, you are not alone. Scripture offers us a way to process these feelings honestly before God through lament—a form of prayer that brings our pain to God while anchoring us in hope. In the Bible, lament is a pathway to find peace and reassurance in God’s promises, no matter how uncertain our circumstances.
Lament as a Biblical Practice
The Psalms are filled with prayers of lament that express raw, unfiltered human emotions. Psalm 13, for example, begins with David’s desperate cry: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”(Psalm 13:1). David openly questions God’s seeming absence, expressing his despair without holding back. Yet, he moves toward hope, choosing to remember God’s steadfast love. “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5). David models that even in times of doubt, we can choose to trust in God’s unchanging nature.
Similarly, the Book of Lamentations is a poetic outpouring of sorrow over the devastation of Jerusalem, filled with expressions of grief. However, even amid intense despair, the writer finds a sliver of hope: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). This passage reminds us that God’s compassion is constant, even when our world feels unstable.
Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, Knows Our Pain
In the New Testament, we find Jesus himself offering prayers of lament. In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night of His betrayal, Jesus prayed in deep anguish: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). Jesus knows what it’s like to experience disappointment and grief. He weeps, He mourns, and ultimately, He surrenders His will to the Father. Through His example, we learn that we, too, can bring our burdens to God honestly and trust Him to carry us through.
In times of disappointment, it is natural to feel conflicted and burdened. But, like Jesus, we are invited to approach God with authenticity, to lay our fears and anxieties before Him. Through lament, we can align our hearts with His and find the peace that surpasses understanding.
Choosing to Hope in Christ
As followers of Jesus, our ultimate hope doesn’t rest on political outcomes but in the unshakeable kingdom of God. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). This hope doesn’t ignore the challenges we face; rather, it reminds us that no matter what happens, Jesus is with us, guiding and sustaining us.
In these moments, it can help to practice gratitude for God’s enduring presence, even when life doesn’t unfold as we hoped. Lament allows us to be honest about our disappointments, while also affirming our confidence in Christ. This is not denial but a mature faith that learns to find joy and resilience in the assurance that God remains in control.
How to Lament with Hope
If you’re feeling discouraged, consider taking time to read and reflect on Psalms like Psalm 13, Psalm 42, or Psalm 77, where the writers bring their distress to God and ultimately renew their trust in Him. Read Lamentations 3 to remind yourself that God’s mercies are new every morning. And remember Jesus’ own prayer in the garden, asking for God’s will to be done, even in the midst of sorrow.
Here is a simple practice you can try:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Write down or speak aloud your honest emotions about the election, your fears, or disappointments.
- Bring Them to God: Pray through these feelings, asking God to meet you in your grief.
- Affirm God’s Promises: Speak or read Scriptures that remind you of God’s faithfulness, like Lamentations 3:22-23 or Hebrews 6:19.
- Choose Hope: Commit your concerns to Jesus, asking for the peace and trust to believe in His good plans.
Our hope is secure not in earthly rulers but in Christ, who has overcome the world. No matter the results of an election or the challenges we face, let’s trust in the One who is with us always and will never leave us nor forsake us. Through lament, let us find renewed strength and peace, resting in the unchanging love of Jesus.
Let’s pray together:
Merciful God, we come to You with heavy hearts, grieving over the brokenness around us and within us. We confess our sorrow and disappointment, knowing that You see every tear and hear every cry. Lord, as the psalmist said, “Out of the depths, I cry to You, O Lord” (Psalm 130:1). In this place of lament, we remember that You are near to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Though we struggle to understand, we choose to trust that Your love remains steadfast and that Your mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus, our Savior, You walked this path of sorrow and bore our grief. Help us fix our eyes on You, our source of comfort and strength, and renew our hope in Your promise to make all things new.
May we find peace in Your presence, and courage to keep going, knowing that even in the darkest valley, You are with us. Strengthen our hearts to wait on You, our Redeemer, who has overcome the world. Amen.