In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:4

In this election season, we have been inundated with information, both true and false, about all of the candidates. Debates, some of which have turned into yelling matches, fill our screens and minds.

As one after the other candidate does his or her best to win our votes, I have often been left feeling fearful. What does all of this back and forth mean for the future of our country? What does it mean to me? How will our country survive if so-and-so wins?

These types of thoughts remind me of what happens when I take my eyes off of God. I am not fearful when I’m singing in the choir at church. Nor am I afraid when I read His word about leading the Israelites out of bondage. But when I turn over my well being to one candidate or another, then I am scared.

To hear the Presidential candidates tell it, our world will not survive unless we cast the correct vote. While I take my voting responsibility seriously, I beg to differ with this type of fear mongering.

As long as God is on His throne (which shall be forever), “in God I trust and am not afraid.”

It is tempting to give ourselves over to wailing and gnashing of teeth, especially when our daily lives are impacted by the policies that each candidate touts. But I’m wondering what would happen if we spent as much time studying the Bible as we do listening to the arguments of men and women, all of whom have something to gain by the outcome of their persuasive tactics.

As the psalmist so eloquently puts it, when I praise God’s word, “what can mere mortals do to me?”

Many times in Scripture, we are told that if we place our trust in God, we have nothing to fear. When we allow the evil one control of our hearts and minds, fear runs rampant and we lose the ability to reason and our discussion devolves into slings and arrows.

Just think how different the political landscape might be if debates actually centered around how each candidate will guide the nation toward the light. Regardless of what is being said, what if we listen with an ear toward God’s will for us? It might not change the nature of the debate but it will surely change the way we feel about what is being said.

When we tremble in fear at the sound of the rabble rousers, we are left powerless against them. Let’s not give away our power. Our country and our neighbors need us standing for what is right, and our God expects it.

Now and forever, our God reigns! Once we stand on that promise, there is no room for fear.

So this week, I challenge us as thinking, caring, passionate women of God to keep Him and his promises in mind when we are rehashing public debate. Rather than agonizing over what could happen if this one or that one wins, let’s encourage each other to raise our own standards and remember whose we are.

We might support a certain candidate or party, but we do not “belong” to one party or the other. We belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As long as we are His, we have nothing to fear.