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Why You Don't Need to be Afraid of a Scary Election

  • Carrie Dedrick What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Sep 23, 2016

This week in Bible study, the discussion revolved around things that distract us from God. We talked about work, busy-ness, social media, and family obligations. Then my husband spoke up with a distraction no one else had thought of: the election. 

With Election Day just over one month away, we can’t go a day without hearing some news of what is going on in the presidential campaigns. We hear that Candidate #1 called Candidate #2 a ______ on social media. Next we learn that Candidate #2 called Candidate #1 ______ in retaliation. The name-calling and mudslinging is endless. 

Many of us are wondering if either candidate would be a good choice for president. We wonder what will happen to our country. Will our children be safe? Are we about to see the worst times of political turmoil and unrest in our nation? 

We’re scared. 

Blogger Lysa TerKeurst says that she, too, knows this fear. 

In Why You Don’t Have to Fear the Upcoming Election, she writes, “I’m not even sure I understand all the complicated political realities, but I do know when I watch the news or read discussions about the upcoming election, I don’t get a good feeling.

“What I thought we’d have to navigate one day, seems to be a reality this day.

“And it can leave this simple mom’s heart feeling afraid.”

How do we navigate such a time as this? By remembering that God is still sovereign. 

Don’t let the election distract you from the fact that God is more powerful than any human or group of people that comes against us. 

TerKeurst writes, “There’s a wonderful truth I turn to time and again when I get afraid. It’s in 2 Kings chapter 6 verse 16, “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’”

That is what the prophet Elisha said to his servant when the man was terrified by enemies surrounding them. Elisha knew that they were protected by an army of angels and prays to God that his servant be able to see the Lord’s protection around them.

We, too, are protected by God, though we often do not see it with our human eyes.  

TerKeurst says, “I need to remember no matter what the nightly news says about current circumstances, God’s good news is my ultimate reality. The enemy is vicious, but he is not victorious. Therefore, I can sometimes feel afraid, but I don’t have to live afraid.”

There is nothing to fear. 

As Crosswalk.com contributing writer Dawn Wilson says in No Matter Who Wins, “Remember God: He still is sovereign and in control.”

“Remember who He is—His character and attributes—and what He does. God has His purposes in everything that touches our lives. It’s all about Him (Romans 11:36), and He has the right to do as He pleases (Psalm 115:3; Ephesians 1:11)... God is concerned about the state of our hearts. He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2) and He wants us to be holy (1 Peter 1:16), but sometimes God uses evil to accomplish ultimate good (Genesis 45:7, 8; 50:20; Romans 8:28). 

“No matter who wins the election, our sovereign, holy God, who always does what is right, will accomplish His purposes in, for and through us.”

Do not let the election get in the way of your faith. Instead, let the election serve as a time to grow closer to God than ever, trusting in Him, and relying on His provision. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

 

Carrie Dedrick is an editor of Crosswalk.com. When she is not writing or editing, she can ususally be found teaching dance classes, running marathons, or reading with at least one adopted dog on her lap. 

Publication date: September 23, 2016