If the person in the White House influences your personal life, you might be putting too much faith in political solutions.

The perception that government can and should solve every problem permeates societies all over the world. This leads to some bizarre emotional attachment to politicians and political processes.

In the United States, some Hillary Clinton supporters openly wept when their candidate lost her bid for the presidency. Many Americans reacted in abject horror at the prospect of a Trump presidency. One progressive said of the likelihood of Obamacare repeal and replace, “This Sh– terrifies me.”

On the other side of the political aisle, some Republicans actually believe Donald Trump will “make America great again.”

But goes beyond the political arena. Government has become such an overriding presence in our lives, the occupant of the White House actually impacts some people’s moods and their entire outlook on life. In a column published in the Washington Post, Stephanie Land actually admitted the election of Donald Trump stole her desire to look for a partner.

“There is no room for dating in this place of grief. Dating means hope. I’ve lost that hope in seeing the words ‘President-elect Trump.'”

Geeze Stephanie, Why are you putting hope in a politician?

You see, this is what you get when you put all your faith in an institution that primarily relies on coercion and force to shape the world. At some point, people that don’t share your vision of the common good will end up in control. Yes. That’s scary.

Of course, government can get things done. But it does nothing to foster community and cooperation. In fact, it creates division and animosity. Political processes have winners, but they also have losers. And at their core, they rely on violence. No wonder the losers often react with fear and loathing.

But government has become the primary apparatus for shaping society. And sadly, it has crowded out other institutions such as family, church, civic organizations and other voluntary associations. If we want to restore a sense of community and cooperation in our world, we need to forsake government and act through these other agencies instead.

This should ring particularly true for those who follow Jesus Christ. He instituted the church to serve as his hands and feet. He implores his people to feed the poor, care for the sick, look after orphans and widows, to visit those in prison and to look out for one another. He did not tell his followers, “Go vote for somebody and create a government program.”

I’m fortunate to belong to a loving body of believers who take this call to serve one another seriously. In November 2014, I had open heart surgery to replace a worn out artificial heart valve. I experienced firsthand what God intended his church to be.

On the morning of my surgery, Trinity Hull UMC associate pastor Michael Coston was there. At 5:30 a.m. He actually seemed pretty cogent too! He spent some time praying for me. But the thing that really mattered to me at the time was that he was there. He cracked a few jokes, kept things light and lowered the anxiety. Then, from what I understand, while I was under the knife for some five hours, a number of ladies from the church sat in the waiting room with my wife and my mom. Again, just having people around to help pass the time meant so much. I’m sure these ladies had more interesting things to do than sit in a hospital waiting room for hours. But there they were, just showing love to my family.

The very first thing I remember after my surgery is Judy Drury’s sweet voice. I am pretty sure she was praying for me. I have no idea how she and my pastor, Steve Drury, managed to get into ICU before my wife.  I was still intubated, and I’m not even sure they knew I was aware of their presence, but I vividly remember hearing them and their prayers.

While I was still in the hospital, Coston kept showing up like a bad penny. Several other members of the church stopped by as well. Then there were the countess texts, emails and phone calls – and of course, the prayers.

After I got home, people from the church brought meals to our house. They mailed cards. They stopped by to visit. They sent flowers. They offered to help my wife with errands and day-to-day activities. They kept texting and checking in on me.  And somebody – or a group of somebodies – gave us a financial gift that left me speechless.

No government program could do what the Trinity Hill UMC church family did for me after my surgery. No politician cares enough about me to show up at my bedside at 5:30 a.m., or to sit with my wife, or to come to my house and sing Christmas carols to cheer me up.

So why do we count on these people?