Outcomes of Power Dynamics – Global or Personal

Today, the world witnessed a moment of high drama at the White House—an angry and public confrontation between President Volodymyr Zelensky of a small, war-torn, eastern European country, Ukraine, and President Donald Trump & Vice President J.D. Vance of the most powerful nation in the world, the United States of America. Zelensky, the guest, was put on the defensive by strong offensive attacks by his hosts. The tension was undeniable, the exchange was heated, and the fallout was swift. The planned press conference was abruptly canceled, and Zelensky was immediately asked to leave. Vanita and I had a discussion about this unprecedented event.

It was an unsettling sight. Regardless of one’s political views, there’s no denying that when pride, power, and conflicting expectations collide, relationships—whether between nations or people—can shatter beyond repair. Some hailed Trump and Vance for “standing their ground,” while others saw a nation using its power to exploit and bully a vulnerable country.

As I watched the events unfold, I couldn’t help but see echoes of my own life, with relationships that have fractured under the weight of pride, unspoken expectations, and a refusal to meet in grace. Over the years, I have felt the rejection from those who should have been sources of love and support especially when we were navigating our children’s childhood trauma, and elder caregiving.

For years, Vanita and I faced an undercurrent of resentment from my family. No reasons were ever given regarding the cause of this animosity—just coldness, distance, and the false accusations culminating in me being ousted from the family at my father’s funeral.

One of the many painful experiences we faced was in our early years of marriage, when we were struggling with the grief of infertility. This was a deeply personal battle, one we chose to share only with both of our parents, hoping for prayers and support. Instead, we were met with judgment and anger by my parents. Why? Because we wanted them to keep it confidential, and they insisted on sharing this with extended family and friends. They accused me of not following the values I had been raised with. And their response was loud and clear—share or we were no longer welcome in their home. My mother refused to talk to us for months, until I apologized.

It was déjà vu decades later when we traveled to India for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in India. We had just poured time, effort, and money to throw them a very big weddling-like celebration of their marriage, right on the heels of (and still grieving from) Vanita’s beloved grandmother’s death. However, during that time we ended up facing the same coldness and judgment, and were given a cutting dismissal: “Never come back” in front of our children, when we left India to return to the US.

Watching today’s political drama made me feel that deep sorrow once again – not just for President Zelensky and Ukraine, but for all who have been cast aside. In this drama that unfolded in front of the world, we saw America’s leaders trying to exploit Unkrain’s vulnerability to make a mineral deal with them, but refusing to provide any guarantee of security to the country if Russia broke their peace agreement. When President Zelensky asked for this security guarantee, he was gas-lighted into being called ungrateful and disrespectful and falsly accused and slandered with lies. However, my primary concern is not for international conflict such as this, but the deeper issue of what the root behind this kind of confrontation is, and how Christians should handle it when this happens to them. You see, our experiences are not unique, and I have given a more detailed talk about this elsewhere.

There is something uniquely devastating about being discarded after giving your heart, your time, and your loyalty. So, what do you do when those you’ve loved, respected, served, and sacrificed for, turn their backs on you? When you stand there, stunned, asking, What just happened? Is this my fault? Where is God in this valley? Why do I feel so wounded, defeated and alone? Watching others justify it makes the suffering even worse. In psychology, enablers of such rejection are called “flying monkeys”—those who defend manipulators out of fear, blind loyalty, or sheer ignorance. I have seen this play out in families, communities, and in the highest levels of power.

The Bible speaks plainly about pride and the abuse of power. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Yet time and again, people choose dominance over humility. Paul exhorts us, Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). How many of our relationships could be salvaged if we truly lived this way. But sadly, we live in a broken world where ego wins, where wounds remain, where rejection cuts deep, and victims are accused and made to suffer even more. And yet, even here, God sees. God loves. He knows the truth. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

Will Ukraine and the U.S. reconcile? Will our own wounds ever fully heal? Some things may never be restored on this side of eternity. But I do know this – I am not in control of outcomes. We are only called to stand in Biblical truth, pray, walk in integrity, extend forgiveness. We need to seek the Spirit’s guidance regarding reconciliation – which may or may not be possible, and sometimes boundaries need to be set.

To those cast aside, misunderstood, or rejected—God sees you. He knows your pain. You are not alone. Your worth is not defined by rejection. Keep walking by faith, in truth. Keep loving, even when it’s not returned. Keep extending grace, even when it’s denied. Because at the end of the day, the God who holds all things together in this world, the One who gave His very life to save us from our sins, sees the full picture. He will return as the mighty King of Kings, when every knee will bow down before Him and every tongue will confess Him as Lord. God promises that Jesus will righteously right all wrongs. We are therefore called to follow Jesus’ example. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:22-24). He will lift up the weak and the down trodden who have placed their faith in Him.

Let us look forward to Jesus’ “well done” on that glorious day, and may that be sufficient for now!.