There is an expression which has emerged this election season that seems to be a new one (or maybe I just don’t remember hearing it in previous years). Various news outlets are talking about people who are suffering with “election depression.” There are numerous factors that are surely involved in this, including how insufferably long the campaign process is and how horribly vicious the personal attacks are, but let’s avoid that political skirmish for right now. What can a Christian do to inoculate against “election depression”?
First, remember that Jesus wins every time you vote for Him! There is no such thing as “wasting a vote” on Jesus! When you “elect” Jesus as your King (John 18:37), your Lord (John 20:28), your Ruler (Matt. 2:6; Rev. 1:5), His victory is your victory! “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). Romans 8:37 does not teach that Christians will be (one day in the future) “conquerors,” but it affirms that right here and now (in the present tense), “We are more than conquerors thorough Him who loved us.” If you’re suffering from election depression, remember that “the Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, and all of my worry is vain!”
Second, remember that Jesus will never mislead you! While it is hard to know sometimes if a certain person (including a political candidate) is being truthful, there is one thing we know for sure when we vote for Jesus—He is “the truth” (John 14:6). He “cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2), for it is “impossible” for Him to violate His nature (Heb. 6:18). Pick up His word. Read it. Believe every syllable of it with full confidence! If you’re suffering from election depression, remember that “He rules the world with truth and grace!”
Third, remember that Jesus will not abandon you after you elect Him! How many times have politicians abandoned their campaign promises and gone about to fulfill their own agenda? Not Jesus! He not only stands by His Word (John 12:48) but He stands by you (2 Tim. 4:17)! The promise of heaven is that those who have Christ as their King can “know that all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). Any why wouldn’t it? If Jesus is “with us always” (cf. Matt. 28:20) and will never leave our side (cf. Heb. 13:5b), wouldn’t it naturally follow that He is going to protect us and look out for us…now and eternally? Faithful Christian, you can “know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13)! (See “know” again?) If you’re suffering from election depression, remember that “He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here!”
Jesus is asking for your vote! Don’t be ashamed to vote for Him and to let others know He’s always got your vote!