I was on vacation when I happened to turn on the news minutes after the attempted assassination of former United States President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. In the days and weeks following, there have been a stream of major political events. Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination; he chose as his running mate J.D. Vance, the junior senator from Ohio and New York Times bestselling author. President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Some have said the past few weeks may go down among the craziest in the history of U.S. presidential races. I for one have watched a lot more news than usual and scrolled social media more zealously, keeping an eye on the drastically changing political landscape. Opinions and conspiracy theories have swirled. And I’ve felt overwhelmed by it all. Government teacher and social media influencer Sharon McMahon put my feelings into words when in a recent interview she said:
“This moment is a challenging one. I think all Americans are feeling it. There’s nobody who is like, ‘This is all normal and I feel great about it.’ No one’s feeling that way.”
God and country
This led me to reflect on how believers should respond in challenging political times. My first instinct is to shut off the news, bury my head in the sand, and hope it all blows over. While it doesn’t hurt to limit anxiety-inducing media consumption, a shift in mindset can bring a more lasting sense of peace. With Election Day still over three months away, here are three things to remember when politics get crazy.
God is sovereign over the nations. When the political system seems to be in chaos, it’s natural to feel concern. In 2 Chronicles 20:6, King Jehoshaphat (that’s fun to say!) proclaims, “You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
Many other places in Scripture confirm that nothing happens in the world or among the nations apart from God’s watchful eye. When world events feel bleak or out of control, we can set our minds and hearts on the Lord, knowing He has a plan and that the world must yield to His sovereignty (Psalm 33:10-11).
We need not fear conspiracies. Our world is full of conspiracies. They can be frightening, making us unsure of who or what we can trust. I’ve recently been reading through the book of Isaiah, and these verses grabbed my attention: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:12-13)
Many times, we fear the wrong things. We fear the conspiracies when God is the One we should fear. He has exponentially more power than any human leader or regime. Colossians 2:8 also speaks to the danger of hearsay when it says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Getting caught up in conspiracies distracts us from our true mission as believers to share the hope of the gospel with a needy world.
God appoints political leaders. Like me, you may worry about a particular candidate taking office. It can be hard to believe that God himself puts rulers into positions of power. But He does. Romans 13:1 tells us, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
This does not mean that every ruler will be godly, only that he or she will be God-picked. I have been reading through the Old Testament, and nearly every king of Israel dishonored God. Some were downright wicked. And yet, good or evil, each king was instituted by God for His purposes.
Peace in a political storm
When politics feel chaotic, some of us may want to totally withdraw from the fray. Some may feel the opposite and wish to advance, speaking up for what we believe. I am thankful I live in a country where I can use my voice and my vote to effect change. And yet these aren’t the primary ways Scripture talks about engaging with government.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs,
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
If I’m honest, voting and voicing my opinion come more naturally than praying for my president and other government officials. But Scripture assures us those prayers have power.
In a crazy election season and rapidly changing world, I can trust in God’s sovereignty, fear Him and pray for the leaders He has put into power. 1 Timothy 2 goes on to remind us of the benefits of praying for those in power: “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (vs. 3-4).
The way we respond in politically charged seasons matters. It shows a watching world where true peace — and salvation — can be found.
Copyright 2024 Suzanne Hadley Gosselin. All rights reserved.
