Faith Works 11-6-2026
Jeff Gill
So now what? Thoughts post-election day
___
By the time you see these words, we may have most of the state and national election results figured out. We may not, entirely, either. One thing is for sure: the television ads will have ended.
I can report, with my frequent trips to Indianapolis, that watching long sequences of negative political ads about people you know nearly nothing about is almost as exhausting as having them go by when you know at least something of the figures in dispute.
My own personal history in this county, and around our part of the state, has given me what’s actually quite a privilege: I have met quite a few political leaders, talked to many of them, and have closer friends who know them even better. So our growing trend to deeply personal attacks lands painfully, at times, in the overall flow of broadcast advertising.
Yet my regular ventures into an adjoining state, and a recent week and a half in a state two time zones away, have shown me the negativity itself is what’s wearing. I label it and internalize it a little differently when the people are known to me, but the grey cloud over my head or the tight green knot in my stomach is about the same when the names and faces are complete and utter strangers.
Which is why, aside from the fact that this is a column intended as part of the faith coverage of the news, I just am not a candidate endorser in general. My editors would no doubt flag it if I tried to name names in this space, pro or con, but I’m really not tempted. If you know me more personally, you know I have political feelings and civic thoughts, and I post those elsewhere, but even at that I’m not as highly partisan as some might think I should be.
At heart, I’m a pastor. And I don’t think anyone’s present felicity or future hopes is really served in any meaningful sense by having the right political affiliations. I can imagine exceptions to this (no Godwin’s Law violations will be seen here this week), but in general, politics aren’t life. They’re a part of living, and sometimes even quite important, but I don’t see one’s specific vote for this candidate or that, as something you need to hear about from me.
What we all need, I believe, whatever your particular faith orientation, is a cleansing break with negativity. Too much of that is bad for the mind, the spirit, and I’d even say for the soul. Those who don’t believe human creatures have immortal elements to their being, a soul as usually defined, may read on elsewhere, but I’m thinking of you, too.
Obviously, sunny optimism is not a rational perspective in all things at any time. Ask a Ukrainian about that right now. I’m not pushing the agenda of Doctor Pangloss (look it up!) or of Pollyanna (book or Disney version). But I am certain as a Christian believer, minister of the gospel, and man of faith, that to be always looking for the worst in anyone is going to put a kink in your psyche that will create backups for your soul’s digestive system.
Can you find something awful in almost anyone if you peer closely enough at their life story? Again, I’m a minister of many decades standing. Of course you can. It takes work sometimes to find the bright spots, but they’re there. In almost anyone.
My post-election commendation to one and all is to put some effort into brightening your outlook, in seeking out the positive, in sharing some good news with another person where you can. This is what we need, all of us.
I salute the bumper sticker I saw the other day in this spirit: “I hope something good happens to you today.” That’s the attitude we can all be blessed by.
Jeff Gill is a writer, storyteller, and preacher in central Ohio; he’s ready to watch some Christmas movies, truth be told. Tell him how you brighten up at knapsack77@gmail.com, or follow @Knapsack on X.
Jeff Gill
So now what? Thoughts post-election day
___
By the time you see these words, we may have most of the state and national election results figured out. We may not, entirely, either. One thing is for sure: the television ads will have ended.
I can report, with my frequent trips to Indianapolis, that watching long sequences of negative political ads about people you know nearly nothing about is almost as exhausting as having them go by when you know at least something of the figures in dispute.
My own personal history in this county, and around our part of the state, has given me what’s actually quite a privilege: I have met quite a few political leaders, talked to many of them, and have closer friends who know them even better. So our growing trend to deeply personal attacks lands painfully, at times, in the overall flow of broadcast advertising.
Yet my regular ventures into an adjoining state, and a recent week and a half in a state two time zones away, have shown me the negativity itself is what’s wearing. I label it and internalize it a little differently when the people are known to me, but the grey cloud over my head or the tight green knot in my stomach is about the same when the names and faces are complete and utter strangers.
Which is why, aside from the fact that this is a column intended as part of the faith coverage of the news, I just am not a candidate endorser in general. My editors would no doubt flag it if I tried to name names in this space, pro or con, but I’m really not tempted. If you know me more personally, you know I have political feelings and civic thoughts, and I post those elsewhere, but even at that I’m not as highly partisan as some might think I should be.
At heart, I’m a pastor. And I don’t think anyone’s present felicity or future hopes is really served in any meaningful sense by having the right political affiliations. I can imagine exceptions to this (no Godwin’s Law violations will be seen here this week), but in general, politics aren’t life. They’re a part of living, and sometimes even quite important, but I don’t see one’s specific vote for this candidate or that, as something you need to hear about from me.
What we all need, I believe, whatever your particular faith orientation, is a cleansing break with negativity. Too much of that is bad for the mind, the spirit, and I’d even say for the soul. Those who don’t believe human creatures have immortal elements to their being, a soul as usually defined, may read on elsewhere, but I’m thinking of you, too.
Obviously, sunny optimism is not a rational perspective in all things at any time. Ask a Ukrainian about that right now. I’m not pushing the agenda of Doctor Pangloss (look it up!) or of Pollyanna (book or Disney version). But I am certain as a Christian believer, minister of the gospel, and man of faith, that to be always looking for the worst in anyone is going to put a kink in your psyche that will create backups for your soul’s digestive system.
Can you find something awful in almost anyone if you peer closely enough at their life story? Again, I’m a minister of many decades standing. Of course you can. It takes work sometimes to find the bright spots, but they’re there. In almost anyone.
My post-election commendation to one and all is to put some effort into brightening your outlook, in seeking out the positive, in sharing some good news with another person where you can. This is what we need, all of us.
I salute the bumper sticker I saw the other day in this spirit: “I hope something good happens to you today.” That’s the attitude we can all be blessed by.
Jeff Gill is a writer, storyteller, and preacher in central Ohio; he’s ready to watch some Christmas movies, truth be told. Tell him how you brighten up at knapsack77@gmail.com, or follow @Knapsack on X.
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