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It’s that time of year again. From the constant ads to the bumper stickers, online chatter, and dominated news cycle, the political tangle is completely unavoidable.

It’s so easy for believers to get caught up in unhealthy patterns: dwelling on anger and grumbling regularly, feeling self-important about our superior opinions, talking before we listen, attributing too much power to public servants, or trusting politicians with things we should trust God for (peace, security, hope).

The apostle Paul describes this ungodly tangle as “the old self,” and encourages Christians to take it off like a dirty shirt. Instead,

“Putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” | Ephesians 4:25-32

To put on “the new self” and maintain spiritual health this election season, the Bible tells us to look to Christ. So how can we stay focused on Christ in this season when every politician is competing for our attention?

Here are a few habits I’d suggest to keep your focus trending in the right direction:

Spend more time with Jesus than you do consuming media.

We need to be shaped more by the Good News than we are by political news. Here’s another way to think about it:

Whose voice is the loudest and most influential in your life?
Whose voices shape your heart and your mood on a daily basis?
Whose disciple are you?

This election season, be intentional about making Jesus’s voice loudest in your life. Give more time to things that pull you deeper into God’s Word, that encourage your faith, and that help you walk with Jesus.

Replace 45 minutes of scrolling news articles with listening to a sermon. Switch out your time watching FOX or CNN with a walk and worship music. Attend a small group instead of a political event.

Engaging in the political process is a good thing for believers, but it’s too easy to let our hearts be dragged away into unhealthy places. Take a few minutes to read the news and stay informed, but make sure Jesus’s voice is loudest in your life.

Take action on the issue that motivates you most when you vote.

As Christians, our vote is not our primary influence in our communities. It’s just a small piece of how we respond to the needs around us. Keep politics in their proper place by acting on an issue God has put on your heart.

Does the economy motivate your vote? Babysit for a single mom while she works, or give generously to a ministry that provides employment training to homeless veterans. Does abortion motivate your vote? Spend time volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center.

Find your one thing, then do something.

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” | James 1:22

If we get our hands dirty serving the people around us, our hope for change won’t be dependent on what’s going on in Washington. We can’t do everything, but we can do something.

Praise and thank God no matter the election’s results.

While we almost surely believe a certain election outcome will be better for our neighbors and communities, we can give God praise no matter the results.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” | 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Our hope is not dependent on a political outcome or what’s happening on either side of the aisle. We know, love, and serve the King of kings—the President of presidents. Our future is in his trustworthy hands.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength.” | Habakkuk 3:17-19

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