Written by: Hayden Kobza
Americans flocked to the polls yesterday to elect a new president and other government leaders. Now, the day after Election Day, a haunting question remains:What will happen next?
According to a 2024 Stress in America study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 77% of American adults surveyed said the country’s future is a major source of stress in their lives.
“Research shows the distress we feel around politics can harm our physical and mental health—and it’s only getting worse,” according to the study. “In 2016, the presidential election caused significant stress for 52% of adults—this year, that number jumped to 69%. Additionally, many U.S. adults said they were worried that the election results could lead to violence (74% of respondents) or that the 2024 election could be the end of democracy in the U.S. (56% of respondents).”
The survey was conducted online between August 1–23, 2024, among 3,305 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, according to information published on the APA website. Oversampling was conducted for subgroup analysis by racial/ethnic groups.
Several Southern Adventist University students shared their post-election fears with the Accent prior to Election Day. Emma Schmidt, a freshman marketing major, said she was concerned that a war could break out no matter who won.
“I don’t necessarily think that is an outrageous idea,” Schmidt said. “I think [it] is very plausible that it could happen. At the very least, there [could] be riots, no matter which way [the election goes].”
Schmidt said she believes that there are more pressing issues in the world, “butt this [election] is something that could possibly just like all at once, trigger and start something.”
Maryjoy Guirnalda, sophomore religious studies and medical science double major, said, “Well, for me, personally, if the party that I want doesn’t win, I fear a lot of things, not just in a political manner, but also in the spiritual realm of things as well.”
However, Guirnalda said that she knows that God is in control and whoever becomes President should be respected.
“Even though we have all these fears, we still have to put our trust in God and know that at the end of the day, they’re going to lead us somewhere,” she said. “And whether that be to a better light or a darker light, we just have to be prepared as citizens.”
“Those who are most engaged online are the most discouraged.”
Lisa Clark Diller, a professor in the History and Political Studies Department at Southern, shared ways to have assurance amid political uncertainty.
“Christians have a perspective on the brokenness of this world that shouldn’t make us surprised when things don’t look good in the kingdoms of this world,” she wrote in an email to the Accent. “We know that the Body of Christ, those who try to follow Jesus, have worked to build the Beloved Community in really hard times, and that love, joy and forgiveness can flourish even during depressions, wars and tyranny.”
According to Diller, the biggest problem with discouragement and the reason the nation is so divided is the endless stream of information online. She referenced David French, a best-selling author and New York Times columnist, who recently spoke for the Lynn Sauls Lecture Series at Southern.
“There are people who need you and people who love you. This is real.”
“I really appreciated David French’s most recent visit to our campus where he said, ‘There are two Americas—those online and those offline,’” Diller said. “Those who are most engaged online are the most discouraged.”
Diller advises those stressed about the election to unplug and focus on what is happening locally.
“Root yourself in the reality around you,” she stated in the email. “… You have local communities, friends, [and the] needs of the town/neighbors near you. There are people who need you and people who love you.This is real. Don’t let the theoretical take up all your space.”
When asked how people should engage in constructive conversations about the election, Diller recommended being genuinely curious and asking questions, such as: “When did you first get interested in politics?” or “How were politics discussed in your home?”
She explained that when you ask such questions, it can help people find a common ground.
“If you’re just enjoying the debate—make sure that everyone around you is, too. And remember not to say things you might later regret. Maybe learn how good rules of debate work so you can get better at that,” she said.. “But if you are worried about correcting misinformation, this requires more skill—finding out where and how people are getting their information and what they think it means.”
According to Diller, it is rare for people to change their minds because of a debate, and sometimes it is better to wait until the election is over to have conversations during times when tensions are not as high.
“I walk outside without my devices and look at the trees and the sky and my fellow humans.”
She shared some personal practices she uses that are helpful in navigating times of societal tension. One strategy is to look back into history, learning about people who have worked to spread love in times of extreme terror, such as the Black Church during slavery and segregation. She said Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark is an amazing readand has helped her see hope even when it doesn’t seem close.
“I walk outside without my devices and look at the trees and the sky and my fellow humans,” she said. “I feel the air on my skin and say, ‘Thank you, God,’ and I invite my friends over to watch funny sitcoms like ‘Parks and Rec’ that focus on local politics and are silly and yet heartwarming. Being with people who are different from me but want to work for a more loving community and who want to pray for and with each other allows me to avoid the discouragement and loneliness that our current ways of being in the world encourage.”
