Today is exactly 3 weeks until election day in our country. We will vote on many positions, amendments etc…but most of all we will elect a new president for our country. With many out of jobs, our housing market plummeting, and our economic crises many have expressed a lot of emotion about what is going on namely fear and anger. I know the more and more that I understand about what is going on the more angry I find myself becoming. I can understand why many Americans are expressing a lot of anger at some of these politcal rally’s.
This morning my running partner was sharing about this conference that she was at over the weekend. When she and others from the conference were out running several were expressing who they were going to vote for and were being very negative and ugly about the other party. I thought her response was the best that it could have been in the situation…..what she said went a little something like this, “ya’ll, we need to quit talking about this because God is totally in control anyway.” Think about that for just a moment…..God is incontrol of the election – God is incontrol of our economy – God is incontrol of all our foriegn affairs – God is incontrol of all of it! When I remember this, I find myself asking, “why am I afraid?” Do I really believe what I say I believe? obviously if I say God is incontrol but I am feeling afaid there is a disconect somewhere. Our feelings/emotions always display what we really believe. In James 1:8 he calls the man who doubts a “double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” The more we pour truth in and then experience that truth, the more firm our foundation becomes and we grow in our confidence and security in Christ.
If you are finding yourself a bit afraid today as you think about our world and what is going on, you are in good company. I challenge you to do what I am doing. Go to God and ask Him a very simple quetion that goes like this, “God, what is it that I do not know about You, that if I did know I would not be afraid right now?” Pay close attention and listen to him over the next several days and weeks. He will reveal to you the answer to that question and fill your heart with faith. You too, then, will grow in your confidence level and in your assurance of our mighty, soverign God.
Some great verses on fear:
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteiousness.”
Isaiah 43:1b-3 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.”
Psalm 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in God.”
Matthew 7:31- “Do not be anxious then saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’…for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I hope that these verses minister to you as they have ministered to me.
Dana
This is such a great post, with words that would be good for many to hear. The truth is that we are secure in God, no matter who leads a city, state or nation, and no matter what the circumstances. In fact it’s not about “us,” but about God’s sovereignty. We may like to think we’re in control, but He’s in full control!
He was in control when Herod was in power, when Pontius Pilate was in power, when the Romans were in power, when Nebudchadnezzar was in power (trouble for Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego). He was in control in all famines, wars and worldly troubles. He’s still in control and always will be in control. Our ‘job’ is to trust and pray, and submit to His life working itself out in and through us. 🙂
This brought me to tears and a realization that I have not been trusting in God as I should with various circumstances in my life. Thank you for the verses and I will make it a point to constantly meditate on them!