Surviving the Donald Trumpic Shock: How Uncertain Does The Future Look?

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To say the entire world was shocked by Donald Trump’s stunning victory is a huge understatement. Even those who understood little to nothing about their local politics in their various countries had heard of the ‘crazy candidate who was planning on building a wall along America’s borders and deporting all illegal immigrants.’ His infamous utterances had gone viral.

Most of us believed Hillary would win without sweat. Though the email scandal tainted her image a bit, we thought it was nothing compared to Trump’s long history of brow-raising comments and actions. But how wrong we were. 

I personally was quite indifferent about the elections. I have my own problems to deal with. But I kind of expected Trump to win. On the fateful 7th as the day began and the polls showed Clinton was leading, I just wondered, how would the world handle it if Trump surprisingly won? Will people wail like the apocalypse had befallen us or would it be like the time the British surprisingly voted to Brexit? And I woke up on 8th to find out he had won! I screamed! Not in excitement but in shock.

I didn’t think Trump would come this far. When he first announced to contest, I thought he was joking. Then I thought his presence would make the campaign season more dramatic. He was just hanging around till things heated up. Then the others started dropping out. What was happening? The more the criticisms against him rose, the harder he pushed to the final stage. I was amazed and impressed. This guy was serious about being President. 

Hillary had almost every significant support system on her side to win this election. How Trump was able to appeal to that many American voters without the help of the media still baffles me. So I’ve learned three things: debates, polls and media support don’t really win elections. 

I was impressed by his speech after Clinton conceded. He seemed calm and collected. I guess it had dawned on him that he was indeed going to be President of the free world. What a responsibility!

I found it a bit puzzling about the reactions after his win. Protesting and almost rioting? I thought that was an ‘African’ behavior. I guess I was wrong about that as well. If it were to be us doing so, their media would paint us to be ‘misunderstanding of the democratic process.’ I guess you can’t really judge anyone if you haven’t been in their shoes before.
I don’t think Donald Trump taking office spells doom for the world. And for the celebrities who confidently said they would leave the country if he did, well…are they done packing yet? The sun still rises and sets the same way. Life still goes on.

I’ve had my fair share of shocks this year and though Trump’s triumph is on a massive scale, I believe most of us have had it too. There have been times in our lives when we were so sure that something was going to work; that the alternative was impossible-we couldn’t even imagine life without it. But life happened and what did we do? We took it in good stride, adapted and worked harder to make our dreams come true.

I choose to believe God allowed Trump to win for a reason. He holds the heart of the king in His palm, right? And His thoughts are always better than ours. Who knows, he could surprise us with what he will be able to achieve. No matter who sits in the oval office, God is still in control. Even if the worst is to happen, He will take care of His own. 

Some people may be fearful of what the future holds for them because of what they think Trump would do. But harboring such fear only robs us of the joy we can have and the opportunities we can seize today. 

I sometimes wake up, some days more uncertain of the future than others. But I comfort myself knowing that my latter days will be more glorious than my former days. No matter who wins the election in Ghana come December 7, I will live and I will live well. 

It’s not as bad as it looks; that is if you’re looking through the lenses of faith. If not, I’m afraid I’ve no other hopeful words to share. I wish Trump and his incoming administration the very best. For all of our sakes, may he do well. 
© Josephine Amoako 2016.