It is just about the perfect storm.

First a virus and its disease.

Then folks with no symptoms infecting up every place they go.

Then no one knows how to prevent it from spreading.

Then no one knows how to cure it.

Then the media floods the world and our minds with a dash of truth, two dashes of balderdash, and thirteen dashes of hype.

Then the governors shut the economy down and order us to stay home.

Then you can not work. And the florists (!) are shut down, and the pork processing plants…

Then my throat feels a little scratchy.

And winter’s coming.

And you wonder, and I wonder.

Just about the perfect storm…for panic.

Until we remember a word.

It is the word of God.

It is the word of His peace.

From the perfect God, perfect peace.

The Hebrews call it shalom, and, through the prophet, shalom shalom.

As peaceful as a soul can get, and as a God can give.

Let us think on this, think so our thoughts stay there--beyond and above what storm there is, what gathering greater storm there might be.

God promises. Shalom shalom. Trust.

For such a time as this.

With you in Him, confiding in the Savior and His truth and love,