The next few days will be filled with anxiety, frustration and disappointment for many
Americans. In fact, the American Psychological Association Stress in America poll revealed that
69% of American adults are reporting that the 2024 Presidential election is a SIGNIFICANT
source of stress in their lives.

That stress is definitely showing up in all our lives. We have signs in our yards, stickers on our
cars, labels on our hats and heated thoughts in our hearts. I sense calculated restraint in casual
conversations for fear of offending a dear friend. I catch snappy comments being thrown
around while I wait in line somewhere. I can see eye rolling moments in conversations around
me in a restaurant.

And so, I keep asking myself, how should a Christian who has followed Jesus for some 52 years
now, be reacting to all this intensity? Where should my thoughts go? What attitudes should I
hold myself responsible for? Where is my hope?

Well, I am currently teaching through the book of Daniel. And there have been some neon signs
flashing in my eyes this past week. Those signs have been pointing to some truths written some
3000 years ago. May I pass them along as a possible source of relief for you and me?

You see, stress comes from uncertainty. When we are unsure of an outcome, we worry. When
we question who is in charge, we fuss. But, when we are settled on who is in control, we can
take a deep breath and let our mind and heart rest a bit.

In Daniel 2:21, Daniel reminds us to praise the name of God forever and then he declares that
“He (Almighty God) changes times and seasons. He sets up kings and disposes them.”
Regardless of how the suburbs of Philadelphia vote, the results are FATHER FILTERED. No matter
how many Gen Z voters show up in Nevada, He is ultimately in control. It doesn’t matter if the
vote is done through a machine, a paper ballot or mailed in, our Heaven Father is sorting it out
according to HIS WILL.

Daniel is interpreting king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream when he remarks in 4:17, “…so that the
living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of men and gives them to
anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” As blessed citizens of USA, we get
the awesome privilege to vote. We participate in the choosing of our leaders, but ultimately, we
must rest in the Lord’s sovereignty, especially over politics and elections.

Daniel reminds Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom will be restored, “… when you acknowledge
that Heaven rules” (Dan. 4:26). And I am convinced, that our sense of peace will return when
we too acknowledge that Heaven rules.