So this is it. Tuesday marks the end of the craziest election season that we have ever seen. We have heard things that we never wanted to hear and accusations so bizarre they couldn’t possibly be true. There’s been hate, division, and violence and unfortunately I don’t think those will end on Tuesday no matter which candidate gets elected.

Our mail boxes are full of propaganda telling us how good one is and how bad their opponents are; and sometimes it seems they both have compelling arguments. Even the propositions we are voting on are enough to make us shake our heads.

We were out to dinner with friends recently and the conversation turned to politics as I think it does around most dinner tables lately. My friend asked if I was afraid of Tuesday’s outcome, and I told her I wasn’t, neglecting to say I had been afraid in the weeks prior. Every time I watched the debates there just seemed to be such an atmosphere of evil. I would think about our choices and end up sick to my stomach. People whose opinions I respect are on different sides and it caused confusion and stress.

However in the midst of all this angst is the Word of God. Being reminded of the unchanging, eternal Word of God is what brings peace to a struggling mind.

“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning..”    Daniel 2: 20-21

“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules overall.” Psalm 103:19

As it is with everything else in this life, God will not be surprised by the results on Tuesday evening because HE is on the throne and HE is in control. He isn’t worried or scared and we need not be either. Trusting in the sovereignty of God, our job is to pray that we make informed decisions, that His will is done, and then to pray for our elected leaders.  When I remembered this truth it was a moment to take a deep breath, relax and stop worrying.

However our responsibilities don’t end with the election. If we say we trust in the Lord then we need to be prepared to be witnesses of His grace. Opinions will not change and people will be watching how we react. We need to show that our faith is in God and not the candidate who gets elected.

This isn’t a time to be angry or anxious but to live out our faith in God because we know that man’s plans and the devil’s schemes will not thwart the will of God.

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”  Proverbs 21:1

The Word of God quiets my fears and gives me peace as I am …just living the thing.