Tonight, as we sit down to watch the debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, it’s hard not to let our personal experiences color how we see things. I’ve been a small business owner for years, and let me tell you, this summer has not been an easy one. Just the other day, I was talking with my neighbor who runs an ice cream trailer. We both agreed: this hasn’t been a great summer. Rising costs are making it difficult to keep things running smoothly. It feels like every time I turn around, something else is more expensive—insurance, utilities, taxes. You name it. And don’t get me started on grocery bills. The cost of feeding my family has become astronomical.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to pick up a simple package of hamburger or even a can of peanuts, it’s like I’m standing there questioning if I really need it. It’s not just food, either. Gas prices, car repairs, and the cost of basic household supplies—it’s like everything is hitting the roof. I know many of you are in the same boat, feeling the pressure of inflation and wondering how much longer we can keep treading water. Something isn’t working. And honestly, I can’t help but question if it’s time for a real change, not just at the federal level but starting right here in our communities. From local career politicians to those up in state and federal offices, it feels like we’re not being heard.

And that brings me to this election. We need to focus less on touchy-feely issues and more on the cold, hard truths that affect our daily lives. It’s not that emotional issues don’t matter; of course, they do. But when we’re struggling just to keep food on the table, pay the bills, and provide for our families, that has to take priority. We need policies that will tackle the practical problems we’re facing right now.

I get it. Every day we wake up to new challenges—family issues, business problems, financial stress. And yes, we know that these things are temporary, mere blips in the grand scheme of our salvation, but that doesn’t make them any less real. That’s why I find myself turning more and more to God’s word these days. It’s the only way I know to escape the anxiety and frustration that come with these burdens. Philippians 4:6-7 speaks right to this struggle: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

But even as I lean on God, I can’t help but feel the weight of what’s happening in our country. There’s a difference between trusting God and ignoring reality. And the reality is, something has to change. Tonight’s debate isn’t just another political event; it’s a moment for us to weigh who will actually address these cold, hard needs in our community and nation.

I know, it’s easier said than done. We’re creatures of habit. We get used to things the way they are, and it’s hard to break out of those routines—even when they’re not working for us. But if there was ever a time to consider making a change, it’s now. Let’s think back for a moment. How did we fare under previous administrations? When you compare Trump’s policies to what we’re experiencing now with Harris as Vice President under Biden, do you notice a difference?

Under the previous administration, many of us had a little more breathing room. Job opportunities were more accessible, and for a while, it felt like the economy was something we could manage. Fast forward to today, and it’s like everything is a struggle. Rising prices, lack of support for small businesses, uncertainty in our global standing—it’s a lot to bear. I can’t help but question: are our current leaders truly being prudent stewards of what they’ve been entrusted with? Proverbs 27:12 reminds us, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” I don’t want us to keep paying the penalty for poor policies that leave people like me—and you—scrambling to make ends meet.

So tonight, as we listen to the debate, let’s put aside the emotional distractions for a moment. This isn’t about who comes off as the most charismatic or who can sling the best one-liner. It’s about which candidate has policies that will address the real struggles we’re facing. Policies that consider the rising costs of everyday living, that tackle inflation, and that support families trying to make it through. We need leadership that will prioritize our immediate needs over party lines and political theatrics.

And let’s not forget the importance of Christian values in all of this. I’m not talking about using faith as a campaign slogan. I’m talking about real, tangible values—unity, compassion, and love—that show up in policies that help people rather than divide them. In Matthew 12:25, Jesus says, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” We’re living in a time where division is rampant, fueled by political agendas and ideological battles. It’s time to consider which leaders are genuinely promoting unity and which are feeding into the discord.

I know this isn’t an easy task. We all have our struggles. I struggle every day with trying to handle things on my own, even though I know I should be giving it all to God. And maybe you do, too. But as hard as it is to step back and let go of the things we can’t control, we have to use discernment for the things we can influence. And right now, one of those things is our vote.

In the end, it’s not just about who “wins” the debate or the election. It’s about making a choice that aligns with our values and addresses the reality we’re living in. We need to remember that, ultimately, it’s God who appoints our leaders. Romans 13:1 reminds us, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” This means that, regardless of the outcome, God is still in control. While we exercise our responsibility to vote and make our voices heard, the final decision rests in God’s hands. So, whether the result is what we hope for or not, we can trust that He has a purpose for it all.

Let’s go into this election with that confidence, praying not for our personal preferences, but for God’s will to be done. And may we be united in asking, “God, have mercy on us and lighten our load as a country.” Because at the end of the day, we all need His grace to guide us, strengthen us, and lead us toward a future that reflects His love and compassion.