Today the Electoral College will confirm what we learned in November: @JoeBiden is the legitimate President-Elect of the United States. @realDonaldTrump lost. I lost (ie, voted for the loser).

This is worth pointing out because learning how to react when God doesn’t give you what you want is a major element of Christian discipleship. It’s the element of discipleship most avoided by the Prosperity Gospel heresy that has taken the lead in claiming Trump won.

Paula White has been at the forefront of this movement. @ericmetaxas has said that he knows President Trump won because somebody he trusts “prophesied” it (prophecy is real, but this hogwash deserves scare quotes).

Yes. Hogwash.

We are tempted to buy the hogwash when we didn’t get what we wanted. Just like the cancer patient at a Benny Hinn crusade. Just like the person contemplating bankruptcy at a Creflo Dollar meeting.

But “declaring” a person cancer free doesn’t make cancer go away. And “declaring” yourself a millionaire doesn’t pay your bills. And “declaring” a valid, legitimate election to be “stolen” doesn’t change the results.

The better way is humility. These “declarations” don’t work because WE are not the ones who can speak things into existence. GOD can, but hasn’t. We must say to Him, “Yes, sir. You know best.”

This is difficult but necessary discipleship. We faced it in our infertility. Many have faced it in the loss of a child (and the Prosperity Gospel folks failed at praying that away recently, too).

But it brings GROWTH as a disciple to learn to say “Thy will, not my will, be done.” This is a moment to exercise that muscle.