Unity In A Divisive Time (Full Episode - Archive)

Unity In A Divisive Time (Full Episode - Archive)

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol when the rest of their world feels like it’s tearing itself apart over politics? This episode of Relational Recovery brings that tension right to the surface. Host Wes Thompson and co-host Austin Hill chat candidly about the 2024 U.S. election season and how political polarisation can quietly poison recovery, relationships and faith communities.

They draw heavily from an article by pastor Ben C., who reminds Christians that, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4, they’re called to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” One line hits especially hard: “Jesus’ people are not held together by political affiliation. We must never let it drive us apart.” Wes and Austin unpack how tying faith too closely to party politics can slide into idolatry.

Wes says plainly that “our allegiance is first to Christ, not to any political party or any country,” and questions whether many people’s political identity has started to outrank their identity as followers of Jesus. Austin adds that when someone’s politics are fused with their faith, any challenge to their views can feel like an attack on their very salvation. They also talk practically about what this means for sobriety.

Constant anger, “toxic negativity” and demonising people who vote differently can feed shame, isolation and emotional chaos – all things that make recovery harder.

Instead, they urge people in recovery to “fight for the relationship” with those they disagree with, starting with honest conversations that say, in effect, “I care about you more than a political ideology.” If you’re sober or trying to get there and feeling pulled into political outrage, this conversation might nudge you to pause and ask: are you feeding division, or are you choosing unity that actually supports your recovery?