No matter who is President, I am responsible for me.

These are troubling times.

We as Americans tend to think in terms of quick fixes. Our country needs fixing in more ways than one.

We often believe the answer to our problems is somewhere out there. If only someone else or something else would change, everything would get better.

When election season rolls around, we can be tempted into thinking that if only my politician or my party is put in power, everything will get better for me.

But that’s not how it works. This line of thinking has things out of order.

Things get better for me when I get better.

I take responsibility for my country, first by taking responsibility for myself and I can only fix my country once I have fixed me.

Presidents are frustrating. Often, they don’t do what I want them to do. Or worse, they do exactly what I don’t want them to do. It can be maddening.

Fortunately, my hope is not in the White House. And I don’t just mean that in an eternal, spiritual sense. I mean it also in a more immediate, tangible way.

I can’t control what the President does. I can only control what I do. I’m not absolved of personal responsibility merely because there is someone I don’t like in the White House.

It’s not up to them.

We have dealt with many crises in recent memory – economic, health, and otherwise. And the one thing most people can agree on is that the government has generally made them worse, not better.

National crises are an unavoidable reality. But nations are composed of people and national crises are, at their base, personal crises.

It is not the responsibility of the President, nor should it be, to see after my personal health, wealth, and happiness.

Ceding those responsibilities to the state has not worked out well for humans in the course of history.

No matter how upset or frustrated I may be with the person holding the highest office in the land, that is no excuse to surrender my personal autonomy. Quite the contrary, when someone whom I disagree with is in power, that is the time when I must most fully take my destiny and that of my family in my own hands.

It’s up to me. 

If you think government will someday give you what you want, I offer you this question: Have they ever given you what you want? Do you really think they are capable?

Most of us would say that we want the right politicians elected not only because it will be good for us, but because it will be good for others as well. I hope this is true.

But if my motives are purely altruistic and I just want to use the government to do good to others. Why not begin by doing good to others myself? Why not start now? What’s stopping me? If I delay taking action until the government does the right thing, I might be waiting…a very long time.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand that what goes on in the White House is vitally important. The President of the United States can shape policy and legislation that can greatly impact my life. We should be very aware of what goes on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and seek to influence who resides there to the degree we can. But regardless of who is occupying the White House, what goes on in my house (and your house) is vastly more important.

Sure, the President has influence. But in my own life and the life of my family, I have vastly more influence. And responsibility.

Being responsible for me means I’m also responsible for my spouse and my children.

No one in Washington is going to show my kids how to work hard, deal honestly, and love compassionately.

They aren’t going to invest in my marriage, make me eat healthy, or put money in my savings so I can build a better economic life for my family.

They aren’t going to read to my kids at night or make sure that I enrich my own mind with thought-provoking books. They aren’t going to see that the oil is changed in my car or that our dishwasher gets unloaded in the morning.

I know they all promise they will make our lives better, because promises are the currency of the politician. But hollow promises merely highlight their incapabilities.

There are some things – many things – most things – the government and the President are simply incapable of doing. Those responsibilities fall to me.

My lonely neighbor is my responsibility, my messy car is my fault, and my future is my opportunity.

I am the problem. 

Solomon wrote, “A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:3)

We humans have always been quick to blame just about anyone for our shortcomings – our parents, the President, and even God. Anyone that is, except ourselves.

When things are unfavorable for me politically, if need be, I could (as many have so often threatened) leave America. But wherever I go I could never escape from myself.

I could theoretically flee from the man in the White House, but I can never put distance between me and the man in the mirror. He is my root problem. On most fronts, he is also my solution.

I can be a solution. 

My point is this: Presidents will come and go. I’ve seen several in my lifetime already.

But I am the product of my choices, not my President. Thank God.

This year, like every other year, I plan to vote and encourage you to as well.

But regardless of the outcome, I won’t be wringing my hands or worrying over the election results or which maniac is occupying the White House. I’ve got way too much to do.

In my own house.

And I am responsible for me.