In Government We Trust?

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7 NIV

It’s been almost a week since the United States presidential election and protests directed at President-elect Donald Trump have become a daily occurrence. The LGBT community, Muslims and Hispanic immigrants are expressing concern over Trump’s campaign rhetoric that brought with it support from white supremacist, far-right wing groups that have become more vocal in recent days. Many are also outraged at his comments to and about women.

We in the chronic illness community have responded as well. Many didn’t appreciate the apparent mocking by Trump of a disabled man at one of his rallies. Many others have rightfully been concerned about healthcare. Most of us with chronic illnesses applauded Obamacare for its mandated coverage of pre-existing conditions, and yet, insurance rates under Obamacare have skyrocketed – especially for those in the middle class, without subsidies – making it a mixed bag of blessings and curses, to be sure.

As I sit in the middle of it all, I have watched both sides of the debate. I have seen the anger of my friends with small businesses and the self-employed, who were genuinely hurt by Obamacare. I have also seen the fear of those disabled by rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic illnesses, who desperately need and rely on government-sponsored healthcare.

Who will help us?



I would love to say that either Clinton or Trump had an iron-clad plan that would help all people with chronic illnesses, but that’s just not the case. Clinton proposed modifying Obamacare and offering up a government insurance option which would hopefully bring down private insurance rates. Trump says he will repeal Obamacare and replace it with “something better” but we aren’t sure exactly what that will look like. We will just have to wait and see.

I can look back to the days before Obamacare, when I was self-employed and my insurance didn’t cover my daughter’s allergies and asthma. I remember the bill from one emergency room bill. It was exorbitant. I also remember the premiums I was paying and they went up by leaps and bounds every year. I was affected by rising healthcare costs and insurance issues then, just as many people are affected in the same way today. Obamacare has made things better for some, worse for others, and hasn’t changed much for those of us fortunate enough to be covered under corporate health plans.

My point of talking about this is to ask a simple question: are we trusting too much in the government and other institutions for our welfare, when we should be trusting in God?

God is whom we should and CAN trust, not any human power.

During the election cycle, I saw a depiction of Donald Trump riding triumphantly on a white horse. To some, this picture was to illustrate him “riding in to save the day” while his opponents might have looked at it and seen someone “coming to divide and conquer.” It was all in the eye of the beholder.

Donald Trump may or may not end up being the evil ruler some people fear. On the other hand, he isn’t our savior, either. Jesus is. Regardless of whichever political party reigns in the country we live in (I say that because not all of the readers here are from the United States), God is bigger. And we are still chronically ill. Election or not, some things won’t change.

We have to deal with our lives just as we always have – one day at a time – and we have to rely on the only one who has the power to overcome whatever adversity we are facing: Almighty God.

Long before this election cycle began, I made a decision to turn my life and will over to the power of God. And over time, He has healed my body – not of all ailments, but certainly of some. He has soothed my soul – not relieving me of all struggles, but giving me a sense of peace throughout them. He has strengthened my spirit – not by keeping me from challenges, but by encouraging me to keep going so I could eventually overcome them.

Worrying is fruitless, whereas prayer is effective.

Jesus spoke words of wisdom when he said in Matthew 6:34 “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” And in Matthew 6:27, He asked, “Who of you by worrying can add a single day to his lifespan?”

God tells us over and over again in the Bible not to fear because He will be with us. The battle of Jericho was won not by the power of the Israelite army, but by the power of God’s word. Likewise, David was small but overcame the giant Goliath with a slingshot and the spirit of the Lord. God was with us prior to this election, and He will be with us going forward. In God we can trust.

God knows we are prone to worry. That’s why He tells us not to. In Philippians 4:6, He shows us the alternative: “Don’t worry about anything, but [instead] in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

If you are worried about the future today, whether it is because of your health situation or something else, give it to God. Tell Him your needs. And don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.

Peace, love and joy to you today –

Linda

In God We Trust? originally appeared on Spring Sight blog, by Linda W. Perkins. Click here for more posts. Get even more encouragement by following me on Facebook and Twitter. 

Many of Spring Sight's posts can also be found each week on Crystal Storms' Thoughtful Thursday,  Kelly Balarie's #RaRaLinkUp, Holly Barrett's Testimony Tuesday, Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart, and Woman to Woman's Word Filled Wednesday. I also link up often with Jennifer Dukes Lee and Dawn at Journeys in Grace, as well as with Lori Schumaker.

Subscribe to Spring Sight