It’s hard not to feel like everything in the world is pushing us to take sides. Everywhere we turn, it’s us versus them—and we’re expected to choose quickly, loudly, and completely. If you don’t post the right thing, vote the right way, say the right words, or unfollow the right people, you might feel like you’re part of the problem.
It’s all rooted in fear—and it’s one of the most powerful tools in the world.
Fear and Division Are the Game—And We’re Being Played
Turn on the news or scroll social media, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’re surrounded with headlines like “Millions under threat...” and “Experts blame this group or that generation...”
And it’s not just the headlines, either. Cancel culture is running rampant. Friends unfollow each other over differences. Families are strained by tension and mistrust. Labels and politics draw lines that divide.
It all sends a clear message: Fear them. Follow us. And sadly, it works.
Fear divides us. It pushes us into echo chambers where we only hear what confirms our own views. It makes us suspicious and defensive of opposing views. Before long, we start seeing each other as enemies instead of neighbors. That’s not the way God wants us to live.
Don’t Put Your Hope in People. Put It in God.
The Bible repeatedly warns against placing our ultimate trust in people, or in the systems and institutions we create.
“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” Psalm 146:3-5
People and movements come and go. Plans fail. Power changes hands. Any time we place our hope in something temporary, that hope can be shaken.
It’s only when we shift our hope from what’s temporary to what’s eternal that we can find true, lasting hope. God’s promises never change. He alone is worthy of our full trust. The Bible tells us he is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
With God as our unshakeable source of hope, the way we respond to division in the world can change from something rooted in fear to something rooted in love.
How to Rise Above Division
Oftentimes, the idea of shifting our hope to God’s eternal power can easily be dismissed because it feels passive. We don't feel like we're actually doing anything to counteract the fear we face.
But there are actual choices we can make every day—and they lead to tangible, powerful results. Here are some simple ways to live it out:
- Pause Before You React. When you feel triggered by news or social media, take a breath. Ask yourself: What is God asking me to do here?
- Listen More Than You Speak. Seek to understand where others are coming from, even if you disagree. Compassion grows when we listen well.
- Choose Your Sources Wisely. Follow people and outlets that help you think clearly and calmly, not just those that fuel fear or anger.
- Practice Curiosity Over Judgment. Instead of writing someone off, ask questions. What’s their story? What might they be afraid of?
- Look for Common Ground. Focus on values or goals you share—even small ones—and build from there.
- Be Quick to Apologize and Slow to Accuse. Grace is a powerful way to break down walls.
These small steps don’t change the world overnight, but they change you. And when enough of us choose love over fear, the ripple effect is powerful.
You start to see other people as fellow humans, rather than enemies. You find peace that isn’t shaken by headlines or current events. You fight to save relationships, not to win arguments. You recognize fear for what it is and refuse to be controlled by it.
So, the next time fear starts creeping in or you feel pressured to pick a side, remember: you don’t have to fight against people. You can fight for them.
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Politics is one of the most divisive areas in our culture. If we’re called to be a uniting voice in the midst of division, that means understanding how we as Christians should engage in politics.
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