I’m Worried

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes:-)

This week has been a drag.

Now, before any of you think this is just another American whining about the reality of the election, I want you to know that that is not, in any way, what I am about. I hate politics. I hate arguing. I serve Jesus Christ, and because of that, I might favor one candidate over the other, based on what their policy is. But this is not the place I intend to voice my political opinions.

This is, however, the place I intend to admit: I am scared. I am frustrated. I am stressed. And I can’t even vote.

I keep seeing everywhere: take care of yourself in this election. Give yourself grace. But how can I find peace when such monumental issues are at stake? Issues that will cost lives. Issues that will impact my life on a daily basis.

Issues like abortion. Like mandatory vaccinations. Like immigration. Like racism. Like equality.

And I know these words trigger feelings just by saying them. They are so indicative of this day and age that they divide people just by saying them. They conjure up opinions and volatile reactions. I’m asking you, just for a moment, to set these opinions aside and view them as Christ would. Not as a democrat or republican would. But as a child of God. Because that is who we are.

Aren’t you stressed this week? However you affiliate?

I can’t even vote! And I’m pacing my room, wondering what my life is going to look like for the next four years.

My new business as an author could be impacted. Maybe in a small way. Maybe in a big way.

I don’t take vaccines. Will that change?

I care so deeply for the lives of the unborn, partially because my own sister I never met is in heaven with Christ and I know how precious she is, and I can’t bear to see more lives end like hers did: too soon.

I apologize if this sounds like a long, biased ramble. I hope to encourage you this morning. But the reality of the matter is that I am worried right now, and I know I’m not alone. And before I can remind you of the promises of Christ, I must recognize the brokenness of this world. The brokenness of myself.

I heard a sermon earlier this week about dual citizenship. A pastor in Texas mentioned how, as Christians, our true citizenship is in heaven. But that citizenship doesn’t negate our American responsibility and citizenship. It enhances it.

I won’t steal his message. But it reminded me of my true identity, and my true comfort being in Christ.

Persecution. I fear persecution. I fear being forced to take a vaccine I don’t want. I fear millions more unborn lives ending because of the extension of planned parenthood. I fear being taxed even more than what I’ve been able to handle. I fear shutting school down again and church down again. I fear being uncomfortable. I fear losing.

But is this the attitude we are to have when approaching persecution?

2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We are weak beings.

We are so weak. We can’t handle the emotional stress of an election. We can’t handle the emotional stress of a homework assignment. But in Him, we are strong.

One of my favorite verses, James 1:2, says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, when you face trials of any kind, consider them nothing but joy.”

I don’t mean to make it sound like living in America is some form of tribulation. We are blessed, so so blessed to live in the country we do. And I am proud to live here, in the United States. Humbled.

But this beautiful place is facing tribulation. It’s corrupt from the inside out just like all of us are, individually. This beautiful place is not indivisible. And we have seen cases daily of liberty and justice being ripped from the grasp of Americans nationwide.

But we remain under God, whether we choose to acknowledge that or not.

Every day, I hear people all around me claiming they know exactly how the election will end and when. I’ve heard confidence on both sides. Confidence that Trump will overcome fraud and confidence that Biden has too strong a lead.

But my confidence is in Christ.

My joy is in Christ.

My identity is in Christ.

And my hope is in Christ.

Our God is bigger than all the things going on in our world right now. You can trust that! I know it sounds like a cliche message you probably hear all the time. But do you ever stop and realize how incredibly BIG God is? Be still and know, He says.

He’s bigger than countries, than planets, than galaxies. He is more sure than the color of the sky, the rise of the sun. He is more faithful than ship anchors and mountains. He loves you more than your own mother could love you, than you own spouse could love you. He is God.

So here’s my call to action: pause. Pause before you start worrying about the votes and all the fraud we’ve been hearing about. Pause before you launch into discussion with those having different opinions than you. Pause before you scoff at a phrase or a news channel. Pause and look at Jesus first. Take your eyes off the nasty, frustrating things of this world, just for a moment, and fix your eyes on your savior, who loved you at your worst and set you free from your bondage to fear.

I don’t have a cure for the worrying. But I have Jesus. And He is always enough. So trust him, beloved, instead of the chaos around you. Fix your eyes on Him.

Because, while presidents come and go, he will never leave your nor forsake you.