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Why You Don’t Have to Fear the Upcoming Election

September 22, 2016

I looked around the table at my kids I love so much, and fear gripped my heart.

What will the outcomes of this coming election make our world look like? What will it be like when they are trying to live as Christians in a culture so determined to dismantle our Biblical values? Have I taught them enough? Equipped them for the battles they’ll face? Will they withstand the pressures and policy changes and political shifts?

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.

Do you ever feel this way? We crave safety and certainty and simplicity to raise our families, serve God, and live out our Christian beliefs in both private and public. But so many things feel threatening to those desires. How do we navigate both our fears and our faith?

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.’”

The prophet Elisha spoke this treasured truth to his servant. The servant was breathless with fear because he looked and saw a massive enemy army surrounding them. His desperation is so clearly heard in verse 15b: “‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.”

Their circumstances were horrible and hopeless when examined through human eyes.

But Elisha doesn’t look at circumstances with human eyes. He sees there are always two realities to everything we face: A physical reality but also a spiritual reality. Elisha clearly saw the frightening military leaders surrounding his city who thought they were in control. But he also saw an angel army sent by God who was far stronger, far greater and far more in control than any human eye could see.

I love what Elisha prays for his servant.

Elisha prays his spiritual eyes will be opened so his faith will be increased. He doesn’t pray for his servant’s fear to be eased. He doesn’t pray the enemy army turns and runs away. He doesn’t pray a new king will swoop onto the scene and change the antagonistic political climate of that day. He doesn’t pray his circumstances will change at all. He simply prays his servant can see with spiritual eyes that God is in control.

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha,” (2 Kings 6:16-17, NIV). An angel army sent by God was there with a divine assignment.

His fear was then silenced as He saw the protection and provision of God.

And that’s how we can quiet our fears as well. Psalm 34:7 reminds us of this same truth, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (NIV).

That was true for Elisha’s fearful servant and it is true for us too. The Matthew Henry commentary says, “As angels are God’s messengers, so they are his soldiers, his hosts (Genesis 32:2), his legions, or regiments, (Matthew 26:53), for the good of his people.” And probably most comforting to my mom’s heart is Matthew 18:10 which says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

Angels are not mystical or mythological, nor are they supposed to be the object of our worship. They are Biblical realities on assignment from God. They point me to recognize God’s presence and see God’s power. I need to remember this truth. That’s why I asked my artist friend Deann to paint some angels for me to hang in my home where I see them every day.


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. Like that beautiful praise song by Chris Tomlin gloriously expresses, “I know who goes before me — I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side.”

Deann has granted me special permission to offer exact replica ready-to-hang gallery prints of the angel paintings in my home. A portion of every painting sold supports the ongoing work of Proverbs 31 Ministries and helps us continue to offer daily Biblical resources for no charge. Click here to see these gorgeous reminders of God’s angels. You can text GUARDIANANGEL to 44222 for a special 10% off coupon code.

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16 Comments
  1. Hilda Simmons

    I needed your words of comfort today, I am for the first time feeling fearful for our country.

    Reply
  2. Melissa Henderson

    Amen. God is in control. He is our hope.

    Reply
  3. Barbara Peek

    This was so good and exactly what I needed. Thanks for those words of truth and encouragement. Thanks again and Blessings.

    Reply
  4. Pam

    I love this reminder from God’s Word. Thank you, Lysa, for pointing us to truth.

    Reply
  5. Mary Ellen Chapman

    Thank you Lisa for Holy Spirit, powerful, life changing truth that brings great light to so many in this dark time in the history of America. YOU are indeed God’s vessel of blessing and truth. You remain in my prayers. God continue to bless you with knowledge and wisdom as you minister to humanity.

    Reply
  6. Jeanne

    One person with God is not alone but a majority.

    Reply
  7. Carmen

    A timely word as always…Thank you..this teaching not only was for me…but I was able to share with someone who was going through some anxious moments…God is good…and Faithful…Thanks Lysa…

    Reply
  8. Diane

    Thank you for your encouragement. I have read several of your books and have done Proverbs 31 studies, and I now will get your blog. Hooray!
    I have a question about”Unglued” and the study guide, but wasn’t sure where to post a question. Hopefully here is ok. I am doing the study by myself and have the book and study guide, but not the DVD. I looked but wasn’t able to locate a suggested reading plan for the two. Can you help me with that? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lysa TerKeurst

      Hi, Diane!

      I am on Lysa’s ministry team and I help her answer her comments at her blog. You asked about Unglued and the study guide. The guide is actually designed to be used with the DVD. So there isn’t really a reading plan I can send to you. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help!

      Praying you are blessed by Unglued as you read through it!

      Blessings,
      LT Ministry Team

      Reply
  9. Lady Daffodil

    I agree with you about God being in control! I try to remember that when I feel conflicted about this year’s election. I don’t feel good about either candidate. Whoever get elected will be a very poor example for America’s children. Parents need to teach their children that just because the president lies or insults people, that doesn’t mean they have a license to do it! I will keep everyone’s children in my prayers!

    Reply
  10. Cathy Fontenot

    Lysa, thank you from the bottom of my overwhelmed heart. I find so many days hard to traverse, and I thank you for these precious words that have lifted my spirit today.

    Reply
  11. Sam

    I live far away in Africa and read a lot about what’s happening in the US. What happens there is only prophetic to what will eventually happen everywhere. Once the American will is broken, the assumption is, the rest of the world is in their hands. That word is from God for the comfort of His people. Thanks and God bless.

    Reply
  12. Claret

    I just received one of your book and came to this site for further information and read this post about fear. I must confess, I have been anxious, frightened, and felt such terror because of the election results. I have been speaking scripture out loud and read Psalm 91 frequently and study it. Thank you for the Scripture references and I know I am of the world and not in it. I must confess when I hear about Trump Towers I think of the bad creatures in the fairy stories in their castles of doom. I know my Redeemer Lives!!!

    Reply
  13. Wade

    There’s no need to fear for God is in control and we have a political system that has checks and balance

    Reply
  14. Wade

    I believe that everything is going to be alright we have a political system that has checks and balance we have a house and a senate but through it all I learned how to lean on him

    Reply
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