Donald Trump’s recent criticism of a slain Muslim U.S. army captain's family, just the latest in a long line of reckless insults from the presidential contender, points up an alarming weakness in Trump. I am praying that the root of this uncontrollable urge to pummel with disdain those who criticize him will be cut away and he can be free of it.
I regularly pray for both him and Hillary Clinton because we have been instructed in Scripture to pray for our leaders ( I Timothy 2:1-6). This is not only our responsibility but our privilege. God answers prayers from his people. So I have been seeking to pray for both our current and future leaders.
As for Trump, he presents himself as a winner, but his outbursts are costing him politically and personally. This chink in his robust outward armor makes him vulnerable to even moral dwarfs. Instead of exhibiting strength to ignore causeless curses and laugh at the folly of Lilliputian-like schemes, Trump must actually feel that he is so small that he must prove himself.
Some seem to enjoy his outbursts of vitriol, but many of us are embarrassed when he ignores the grief of parents who have lost a son while fighting for this country. Earlier, he threw insults at Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly for simply asking a probing question. And we gasped when he viciously attacked Ted Cruz's wife after a Super Pac mentioned Trump's wife posing without clothes for GQ.
Like a third grader he feels compelled to give derogatory monikers to competitors: "Lying Ted," "Little Marco," "Loser," "Crooked Hillary," etc. Even after he had won the nomination he could not let Ted Cruz's non-endorsement speech at the GOP convention go by without attacking him.
This flaw will make it very difficult for him to win the election. "The devil can't get your goat until you show him where the goat is tied." Be assured Mr. Trump's opponents know where his goat is tied. He will be easily distracted by those who personally attack him. He will be off chasing the little foxes that spoil the vines when he should be presenting substantial solutions to the national problems he has identified. It is not hard to defeat a person who is so susceptible to personal criticism.
If by the providence of God Mr. Trump wins the election without dealing with this flaw, it will be a great detriment to his governing.
"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." (Proverbs 25:28)
It is interesting that he has shown self-control in matters of smoking, drinking and drugs. It is a mantra for him and his family. I hope that his strength there does not deceive him and prevent his acknowledging his lack of self-control in matters of personal offense. It is also interesting that he has made building a wall one of his campaign pillars, while he demonstrates that the wall of protection around him has been broken down. He is a very vulnerable man.
Of course Mr. Trump is not alone in his weaknesses. We are all susceptible to such deception, but he is out front, and we are evaluating our potential leaders. We dare not judge him in the sense that we write him off as hopeless or worthless, but we must be concerned. He is the nominated leader of a party that has openly embraced many values that conservative citizens hold dear. His failure would seriously affect the chances that those values get implemented. As Christians we should fervently pray for his release whether or not we agree with his politics.
If our prayers are to be more specific than, "God please bless our leaders," we should pay attention to where they need the grace of God. Let us pray that God's abundant grace will expose this flaw and empower Mr. Trump to renounce it and embrace the perspective of the real winner of this battle, Jesus Christ.
All the while, let us examine our own hearts. May we, too, be moved from fear-based reactions to love-based confidence. We can repent as we pray. Even if you don't know what to do at the polls in November, you are able to know what you can and should do today. Pray!
