How to Calm Fear in a Political Season

by Annie Yorty

Everywhere we turn, we hear and read about awful predictions if this or that person is elected in November. People are anxious about what might happen to our country in the future. How can we calm fear in a fraught political season?

Fear Stoked

We’ve all seen them—ads touting the perils of this election season. These are a few of many fear-mongering quotes that have bounced around the airways for the past few months.

• Democracy will die
• Cozying up to Putin
• Skyrocketing inflation
• Unchecked power, no guardrails
• Women will die
• Thousands of criminals
• The American dream is dead

Legitimate Fear

In the book of Revelation, a fear greater than politics gripped Apostle John. When he laid eyes on Jesus, he fell “as a dead man” (Revelation 1:17 NLT). A quick survey of people who experienced face-to-face encounters with the living God reveals dropping face down is the most common response.

But John? John had walked the earth with Jesus for three years. They had eaten, traveled, and worked together. He knew Jesus as well as anyone. Jesus doted on John, and John knew it. He often referred to himself as the disciple Jesus loved. John had already seen Jesus transfigured into all His glory as God. On that occasion, fear overcame John, and he fell on his face.

You might think the second time seeing Jesus as fully God would be less fear-inducing. More comfortable somehow. Apparently not.

Once again, John was overwhelmed by the power and authority that emanated from Jesus—God Almighty, God Most High, Lord of heaven’s armies.

How might we respond to a glimpse of the God who created and controls the universe? We can sit face-to-face with Him every day when we open His Word. The Word reveals Him to us. Do we gloss over His glory or assume the position of worship that He deserves?

Calm Fear with Truth

Jesus calmed John’s fear with truth about Himself. John wrote about what Jesus said.

“But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (Revelation 1:17-18 NLT)

Four Truths about Jesus that Calm Fear

1. “I am the First and the Last.”

Jesus reassured John He surrounds all human history. Paul wrote, “He is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17 AKJV). As the fulfillment of all God has promised, Jesus has already determined the events at the end of time as well as every day in between (2 Corinthians 1:20).

John was calmed and comforted by Jesus’ reminder. We, too, can apply His words to our worried hearts.

2. “I died.”

By recalling the cross to John’s mind, Jesus reminds him of the sacrificial purpose for His death.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 AKJV)

John could rest knowing Jesus paid the debt he owed for his sins. When we rest in the salvation of Jesus, fears circulating during the political season will not pound us like waves on a seashore.

3. “I’m alive forever.”

Jesus not only paid for the sins of the world, but He also defeated death when He rose to life on the third day. His resurrection guarantees our resurrection as well. “Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT).

As one who believed in Jesus and surrendered his life to Him, John knew His eternal life was secure. In whatever circumstances we live, our faithful God always provides and cares for us as well.

4. “I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

As the Creator and Conqueror, Jesus has authority over every part of the physical and spiritual world. He is the righteous Judge who metes out justice based on His penetrating omniscience. He knows the motive of every heart and sees every deed done in public or private.

John, and all children of God, need not fear God’s judgment because Jesus has us under His wing of protection. We can tolerate any political outcome by trusting He will correct every wrong in His perfect timing.

Free from Fear for a Purpose

Indeed, the sight of Jesus cloaked in all his glory buckled John’s knees. The full glory of God will do that to a person.

Jesus felt compassion for John, so He touched him and spoke truth that allayed his specific fears. Once John was reassured of Jesus’ favor and love, his heart settled and focused on the work assigned to him.

Jesus told John to watch and record visions of the future. If you’ve ever read the book of Revelation, you know John was about to witness some horrific and scary events. But Jesus had already prepared John by calming his fears and focusing his mind on the truth.

What fears scurry around your mind in this season of life? Perhaps the fate of the country weighs heavily upon you. Or maybe you have bigger problems closer to home that cause unrest in your heart. A life-ending diagnosis, a failing marriage, a prodigal child, or financial disaster can flatten us with fear.

Whatever the source of fear, the antidote is the same. We look to Scripture for truth and a touch from Jesus that calms every fear.

Once Jesus relieved his fear, John wrote the book of Revelation to reveal the God of hope to anyone who would read and take it to heart (Revelation 1:3).

We, too, have the same purpose in this political season, whatever the outcome of the election. Allow the truth to sweep away fear so you can stand firm in faith and reveal God to people overwhelmed by this dangerous and fear-filled world.

Join the conversation:

What truth about Jesus calms your fears?

I welcome your comments.

Copyright ©2024 Annie Yorty

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