Never in the history of our country has Inauguration Day been fraught with so much fear and trepidation. According to an article published last month by the Pew Research Center, Trump supporters fear that the Biden Administration will take away their religious liberty and their right to bear arms, and Biden supporters, like Alexandria Ocascio-Cortez , fear that Trump advocates will thwart their efforts to implement more expansive LGBTQ rights and climate change . If the two sides can’t agree on anything else, they should both concede that we are living in fearful times, and that fear is not good for them personally or for the country. Keep reading to discover 4 ways to Overcome Inauguration Day Fear
Love God
The first step in overcoming Inauguration Day Fear – or any fear for that matter, is to love God. 1 John 4:18 from the Holy Bible says that “Perfect love casteth out fear..” The Message translation explains it even better:
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
When Christians have truly fallen in love with the Lord Jesus Christ they feel a deep inner peace. They live with a sense of contentment and ease despite any chaos that surrounds them. Now this doesn’t mean that Christians never become fearful – they do. But a Christian who has discovered the secret of abiding love, understands that they have a Heavenly Father who is watching over them and is buffeting every storm.
Therefore Christ-followers should strengthen their love relationship with God by reading the Bible, praying in the Spirit, and speaking words of faith to themselves and to others.
Love Your Enemies
Trump supporters need to love Biden supporters and vice-versa. Returning love and compassion for being treated hatefully is the foundation of the Christian faith. If you cannot do this, then you are not truly sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ. I say this as much to myself as I do to you. Sure, we are going to be challenged. And sure, we are going to get our feelings hurt. But Jesus said to love. To turn the other cheek. To forgive 70 x7.
Are you doing this?
Do you respond to the hatemonging around you with the love of Christ? Do you see your opposents as the lost souls that they really are? Again, I am speaking to myself as much as to anyone. We must choose love. We must choose kindness. We must love our enemies.
Showing love, exampling love is how the weapons are taken out of Satan’s hands. His goal is to incite anger and chaos. But if believers refuse to react, and pour love instead, then Satan’s fire is met with the water of the Holy Spirit within us and is extinguished.
To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. (Luke 6:27-36 The Message)
Pray for The Country
Above all pray. Prayer is what will make the difference, both now and in the future. Prayer changes outcomes. Prayer touches the heart of God. There are many scriptures in the Bible that admonish God’s people to pray for their leaders.
Love Your Country
America is a blessed nation, that was founded on Biblical principles, by men who feared God. Even now, in the midst of a national pandemic, and the tension surrounding the transition of power between President Trump and President-Elect Biden , America is still the greatest country on planet earth.
Demonstrate your love for the country by thanking God for what is good about America. Remind yourself of the many good times that you and your family have had in these United States. Trips you have taken. People you have met. Neighbors who helped you when you fell on hard times.
America is strong. And Americans are equally as strong. Refuse to buy into despair. Instead, do as the Bible says and pray for the leaders of the land so that you and yours might abide in peace. Speak faith. Speak positivity about what is to come. Use your words to create an atmosphere of faith in your home, in your neighborhood, and thereby in the country. And in so doing, you will help to eliminate your Inaugural Day fear.
We serve a positive God who is in charge of all things. He is the Lord God of all flesh and there is nothing – absolutely nothing that is too hard for Him.
