"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of
loveof love and of a sound mind." (NKJV)
By the time you read this column, we will either be getting ready to
vote or have voted already. Every two or four years we hear that this is the
most important election cycle ever. Unfortunately, I believe that is true this
time. We are all concerned and anxious about the future of this country. And it is stressing out a lot of people.
But God does not call us to be stressed out, anxious, or fearful people.
He wants us to remember that He knows what the future holds, and He is in
control.
In this world full of uncertainty and doubt, where fear and anxiety can
easily take hold, it is essential to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth
of God's word. The Bible is there to help you walk through challenging times
with the confidence that only our Lord can give. Scripture will show you how to
overcome these overwhelming times and emotions, finding peace in God's word.
I often think about our Southern Ancestors. They came home to houses
destroyed and communities ruined. They were occupied by a foreign government,
many of whom forbid them from even voting. What was their answer to all of
that? God. Many returned home having found or reaffirmed their faith in the
Great Awakening in the Confederate Armies. Hundreds of thousands of men found
God, and were baptized. They went home, built or rebuilt the Churches, and
spread their faith in their communities. Some became Pastors, some became
laymen leaders in the church. All helped rebuild Southern civilization centered
on the word and power of Jesus Christ. We are their ancestors. We have the same
blood, the same scripture, and the same God, who is everlasting. Can we do any
less than them?
Finally, as we see in the above reading from 2 Timothy, God has not
given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Let us
remember that as we go to the polls this month, and let us always stand firm in
our faith, knowing that God is in control, no matter what happens in the world
around us.
Deo Vindice!
