“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1 (NLT)
Have you heard of electsomnia? I had not until I saw it on a news site last week. In case you are not familiar with it, it is a reference to losing sleep over the election. It is a real somnia and the experts offer their typical answers-stay off electronics before you go to sleep, challenge your negative thoughts, and focus on where your life is right now. (Tuesday’s Health Report: How to fight “Electsomnia” (wbrz.com))
Ok, thanks, but I think most of us already know these things. So what do we do when the things that are offered as advice do not work? If the election has so burdened us, to the point of not sleeping, or if the weight of this world has been overwhelming recently, how do we handle it? What does God say?
If we know Jesus, we know this world is not our home. That does not give us an excuse to sit back and do nothing, but it does remind us of WHO is ultimately in control. Do we stand up for life and against injustice? Absolutely. But do we base our hope in our government? Absolutely not.
That is the difference. We care, we act, we stand up and support what is dear to our Father’s heart. We are clearly called to be responsible citizens. We are not called to base our hope or peace on what this world has to offer, politically or otherwise.
Paul wrote Romans 13 during the time when Nero was the reigning power. It would not be long before Nero would blame the Christians for destroying the city of Rome, make martyrs of many of them, and cause persecution. Yet, this is the time when Paul wrote and told the Romans to use their role as citizens to further spread the Gospel of Jesus and His love, to respect authority, and to honor those they disagreed with. That is still our call today.
No matter who our new President is, we know WHO holds the future in His Hands and WHO our Prince of Peace truly is. That is the truth we can rest in.
We can rest assured that God was not surprised last night. He is also not surprised by our emotions about it. Talk to Him -He is listening.
“Father, help us to rest in You and represent You and Your heart in every arena in this life, including politics. Help our lives to really be all about YOU!”
For His Glory
Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life
P.S. I would encourage you to read Romans 13 to see what else God has to say about our citizenship.
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