Election Day, 2020

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:7-11 ESV).

 

Well today has been long anticipated for many reasons. Early voting has been taking place in many states for a while with records being set across our country. The lines have been long and often difficult to navigate. It has been a cause of great anxiety in many people. I thought today’s devotional might be helpful to walk our way through the destructive practice of anxiety, especially over things we have no control. The Scripture is so clear when it comes to worry, yet we seem to be so good at it!

 

Worry has been cited for a plethora of illnesses: heart trouble, high blood pressure, rheumatism, ulcers, colds, thyroid malfunction, arthritis, migraine headaches, blindness, and a host of stomach disorders. Worry, it seems, hurts our health. But, at least worry makes us feel better… right? No! Worry cannot bring us joy. Entangle yourself in Election Day dread and you’ll be more anxious. It will steal away your joy. Just yesterday my granddaughter asked me what I would do if my candidate of choice doesn’t win? I simply said, “I’ll wake up the next day either here or in heaven; and, all will still be good. God has promised it.”

 

So, with all the trouble of worry, why is it so easy to do? Simple, anxiety is the default reaction to the appearance of trouble. When a politician says: “The nation is in trouble!” it requires no action to believe him or her. Fear is highly contagious. There has been a lot of fear-peddling over the last few months. It’s time to trust. It’s time for us to believe the motto on our coinage. “In God we trust.” Let’s face it. Anxiety has no advantages. It ruins health, robs joy, and changes nothing. The Greek word the Bible uses for worry, merimnao, stems from the verb merizo (divide) and nous (mind). Worry cleavers the mind, splitting thoughts between today and tomorrow. What’s more, worry divides people. Fear causes citizens to rage against citizens, Americans to spew anger toward Americans. Isn’t it time to trust? If your candidate loses, is God in control? And, if God is in control, can we not trust Him? It’s time to vote, to pray and, most of all, it’s time to trust.