Read Daniel 7:1-14
Yes, Election Anxiety is a Real Thing
We’ve all seen clips or videos on both sides of the political spectrum of people having complete meltdowns over the outcome of an election or with the passing or overturning of a specific law. Perhaps you find such videos comical or can relate to those in the video more than you want others to know. The Hill reports that 69% of American adults are frustrated and anxious with this current election cycle. With numbers this high, perhaps you are one of those who have and are suffering through this national life season that comes around every four years. If so, please keep reading because the Bible provides a solution for dealing with and overcoming election anxiety!
Animals Gone Wild
In one of the wildest passages of the Bible, we see four earthly kingdoms compared to animal-like creatures. Each beast is more dreadful and terrifying than the one that arose out of the sea before it. The content and meaning of the entire vision aroused thoughts within Daniel’s mind, which terrified him (Daniel 7:15, 28).
The strange beasts in these fourteen verses symbolize the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. The ten horns and the appearing little horn indicate that before Jesus returns (Daniel 2:31-35, 44-45; 7:9-10, 13-14), there will be a Rome 2.0 ruled by a coalition of ten kings when another will arise and consolidate power under himself as supreme ruler of not only this particular empire but the entire world (Daniel 7:23).
A Wild Vision and Election Cycles and Fear’s Arousal
When we consider each beast’s appearance, size, and viciousness, we don’t have to wonder why Daniel was troubled and terrified by what he saw in his vision. After all, every four years in the United States, we see hysteria on both sides of the political aisle because they are fearful of what the nation will look like if their candidate loses the election and their political foe is victorious.
A big reason for this fearfulness each election year is because of what our election seasons are: campaigns of slandering, name-calling, and mud-slinging instead of passionate and respectful debates or discussions about policy specifics (instead of generalities) and how they play out in actuality. Other reasons causing an uptick in anxiety during election years include politicizing everything possible, increasing polarization, extreme rhetoric, not doing our homework on what we repost or share, immersing ourselves into echo chambers (only listening to people or media that reinforce our worldview), and not seeing those who disagree with us politically as enemies instead of one created in God’s image and whom Jesus died for – rant over.
Daniel’s concern is validated more than our rants and fears, at least in most cases here in the States – though elections do have real consequences for real people, even here. Yet, Daniel’s vision is coming straight from the Most High God, the One Who causes nations to rise and fall so everything the LORD revealed to Daniel would come to pass from his standpoint. Real people would experience the destruction of each beast; their pain, suffering, losses, and deaths would be reality. The bandwidth of the destruction by each empire would continue to expand until the final one would rule the entire planet.
However, because of our experiences and media intake, our thoughts too can cause anxiety during every election cycle. For unbelievers, this fearfulness, while not healthy for their mental health, is acceptable because their worldview does not involve a sovereign God directing history to an ending for His glory and our good. Yet, as believers, we have been commanded by Jesus and Paul to not worry about anything (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7)!
Amid Chaos, there is a God in Control
I am grateful that the focus of Daniel’s vision shifts beginning in verse nine. The following verses remind us that while life appears accurately chaotic and scary on a personal, national, and global level, there is a God still on His throne in control of all things. While it seems that there is no way anything good could come out of the dominance of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, Galatians tells us otherwise.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
God had a redemptive purpose for each of these empires. God used the Babylonians to judge and purify His people for and of their idolatry (Habakkuk 1:12). The LORD used the Medes and Persians to end the Jews’ captivity to provide the way for a remnant to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Though God’s people suffered greatly under the Greeks during the reign of Antiochus Ephinines, the Greek’s rule provided a common language for the New Testament to be written in so that all could understand as it permeated the Roman Empire. Rome’s roads and Pax Romana (Roman Peace) allowed the gospel to travel quickly in each direction of the Roman empire.
At the right time, when God had sovereignly set the stage by causing nations to rise and fall, God sent His Son. Jesus came, fulfilling the law perfectly in heart and action, paving the way for us to become children of God.
Guidance for Being at Peace until this Election Cycle is Over
Just like God directed every political aspect that prepared the way for His Son’s first coming, He has and continues to do so to set the stage for Jesus’ second coming! Nations and their leaders must rise and fall so that the ten toes and horns of Daniel come on the scene of history, the little horn (the Antichrist) to arise to power over the whole earth, allowing for the fullness of time to happen once again so that our King, King Jesus to return and judge His enemies and set up His eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:11-14).
So, whatever the outcome of next week’s election and the narratives or events that follow November 5th, find peace in the Ancient of Days and His Son, Christ Jesus. Know that whatever happens and however it happens, our God is simply preparing the world’s stage for His Son’s second coming, just as He did for His first coming! God’s person will always be in the Oval Office, regardless of whether he or she is your preferred choice or not.
Remember,
Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. He brings them high and He brings them low. May we rest in Him as the ages flow, for He as always is on His throne. – Thomas Cruthis
What if I find myself worrying about the election’s outcome?
- To know peace during an election cycle, you must know the God of peace. Begin a relationship with God today. Click here to see how!
- Transparent prayer: Nothing about us is hidden from our Heavenly Father. He knows us fully and yet loves us fully. He invites to come into His presence and receive what we need in His midst. Allow Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:6-7 to shape your conversation with your Heavenly Father about your earthly feelings surrounding the election.
- Time in the Word: Quiet your spirit by reading passages that remind you of God’s sovereignty and how everything ends – with Christ ruling and us with Him like here in Daniel 7. Take your anxious thoughts captive my submitting them to the Bible (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- Take a break: From personal experience, it is amazing how taking a break from social media and other media avenues that are causing stress, anger, fear and other emotions allows clarity, peace, and joy to reign in their place. Replace the media you are taking a break from with preaching, biblical podcast, and worship music; you’ll notice a difference in your mood and outlook quickly.
- Take the Next Step: Do the next right thing, whatever that may be. Perhaps the next right thing is saying a prayer for the nation and a peaceful transition of power, demonstrating love towards someone who views things differently politically, carrying out your daily responsibilities, are caring for your family if indeed turmoil arises because of the election’s outcome. Whatever the day or days after the election look like, rest in God, and do the next right thing (James 4:17).
Prayer
“Lord, help us as your people act Christlike and sensible during this election season. Please give us wisdom and discernment as we vote (if you vote) and take in the news through various platforms. Above all, may your Word define our worldview, not the world’s words. If we are tempted to be fearful, Holy Spirit, please bring these verses from Daniel 7 to mind of the Ancient of Days on His throne preparing the way for His Son to return at just the right time. Amen.”
Subscribe today to know when brand-new resources are released!
If you found this blog helpful in your walk with Jesus, please share it with others.
Leave a Reply