4 Ways to Conquer Election Anxiety by Leaning into Worship

Worship, at its core, is an act of turning our focus away from our fears and toward the greatness of God. As Tom Read shared in his interview, worship has been a refuge for him in his long struggle with anxiety, beginning with his first panic attack at just seven years old. Instead of viewing worship as a temporary escape, he came to see it as a powerful tool for facing anxiety directly.

“Here's the thing, I grew up in a Christian family and One of the things that I realized, even in the times when I was feeling anxiety, or feeling dread, or feeling panic, the times when I felt free from that were the times when I was in worship.” 

In worship, Read found a way to process his anxiety by bringing it directly before God, finding peace and release in God’s presence. This act of honest worship echoes Psalm 94’s assurance: we are met with God’s steadfast love precisely when we feel most vulnerable and weary.

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In a season filled with political uncertainties, we can respond to anxiety by focusing our hearts on worship rather than on our fears. In Philippians 4:6, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

In Helping Kids Exchange Anxiety for A Garment of Praise, Yance writes for Worship Leader Magazine, "Within every offering of worship there is an exchange that happens. David modeled to us what going to battle in the spirit looks like. He fought spiritual warfare with his song. I do not think that the Psalms are all written as testimonies of 'look what God did' statements. Many were written as he was crying out to God in the middle of needing a shelter and desiring a hiding place. David learned that God would meet Him in the middle of his song: 'Help me, Where are You? I need You. I long for You!'"

As election day approaches, the headlines, campaign ads, and debates can easily overwhelm us. But, our loving God has given us tools we can use to combat those feelings. Worship calls us back to the truth of God’s sovereignty. 

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The Psalms model a form of worship that does not deny our struggles but brings them openly before God. 

Theologian Walter Brueggemann describes the Psalms as moving between three stages: “orientation” (when life feels stable), “disorientation” (when life feels chaotic), and “reorientation” (when we find renewed hope in God’s promises).[a] In this structure, Psalm 94 fits as a “disorientation” psalm, expressing fear and need yet finding security in God’s presence.

As Read emphasized, the Psalms are a blueprint for us to understand how to deal with the hard times of life.

As we approach a season that often breeds tension and division, worship serves as a sanctuary. Tom Read’s journey shows us that, while anxiety is real and often unavoidable, God meets us with His peace whenever we worship Him in honesty. 

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As we approach election day, let’s make Psalm 94 our prayer. When we feel our “foot slips” and anxiety presses in, may we find that God’s steadfast love holds us up, that His “consolations” lift and cheer our souls. Worship offers a steady refuge—a place where we experience the peace of God and remember that He alone is our firm foundation, yesterday, today, and forever.

Anxiety Vs. Worship - Tom Read Uses Lofi Psalms to Combat Anxiety from Worship Leader on GodTube.

[a] "Praying the Psalms"

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This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.