I think most people would say that they do not feel at peace or any sense of calm especially in today’s environment. The world seems to be going crazy. In just one week we have gone from a relatively normal existence to scrambling for toilet paper and goods, focusing on every sniffle, ache and pain, and washing and gelling our hands until they are raw. There is no escape- every where in the world it is relatively the same.

In the Sunday NYTimes there was an article about the 1964 Alaskan earthquake. A newly formed team of sociologists charged to study disaster planning in the wake of the cold war, arrived in Alaska expecting to find chaos. Instead, they saw a community coming together, using its resources and experience to help one another. The president of the mountaineer club volunteered to organize a search and rescue. Neighbors were helping neighbors recover household items and sharing meals. They did not find the neighbors looting or hoarding. Just assisting one another.

The other night I saw part of a David Attenborough documentary about Africa. He was highlighting the beautiful yet stark, harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert. As you can imagine no water is to be found anywhere except at few and far between oasis. There is one such spot that contains a large lake which turns out to have hyper-salinity. More so than any ocean and in ingesting it, many animals die. Because of the deaths, it also is home to plague-like proportions of flies.

In a remarkable turn of events, the thirsty migratory birds stop, not necessarily for the water but for the flies: in eating the flies they get hydrated. Talk about making lemonade from lemons. Or water from flies. (I have heard of “like water for chocolate” but never like water for flies.)

All this makes me think of our current situation. Not that I welcome COVID-19. Certainly not as a thirsty traveler welcomes an oasis or as a community building activity. But who knows the whys and what for’s in this pandemic crisis? Is there an opportunity in what we are experiencing? Some hidden blessing or unimaginable alternative? From all the disaster movies of the 1970’s, we know that panic doesn’t help any situation. (although it makes quite a drama). Can we be calm? If sociologists came to our community, would they find us carrying on and helping each other?

What are we to do when we feel that our lives have crumbled around us and that the reality that we knew, no longer exists or supports us? How do we (try to) maintain a peaceful and calm demeanor?

While I have no answers, I do know the One who does. I do know that God is sovereign and that I need to trust Him even when, and especially when, life seems chaotic and out of control.

Ideas that I try to instill in myself so that I may (or attempt to) have the peace that passeth all understanding:

1) God is in control and world leaders, health professionals and I are not. That doesn’t mean that God has caused COVID-19, or that He is sitting watching all of this unfold like a grand chess master. Nor does it mean that I turn off my God-given mind and become complacent to all that is going on around me. Rather, I choose to trust Him with my life as I trust the ultimate loving parent. While situations can be difficult- suffering, pain, anxiety, stress, loss- when I turn over my feelings to Him, I find that I can manage what comes down the pike. I realize that there is a bigger story going on- bigger than my individual one. When I look at life as part of the eternal timeline, I do not get so anxious about my current event.

2) Be prudent and wise: Take the necessary precautions (self-isolation if you are at-risk, hand washing, practice social distancing, staying as healthy as you can be- sleep, eat, exercise). If constant news and updates on COVID-19 is stressing you out, turn off the TV or radio. Listen to the news once a day. Or, if you feel that you want more information to allay fears- research information, using credible sources as well as multiple ones (for balance). God has created wonderful researchers, scientists, doctors and health care workers. Science is a beautiful, God-created order and we are wise to explore and learn.

3) Look out for others and be a blessing to those around you. It warms my heart to see through social media- I have noticed through the Next Door neighbor groups- individuals asking if anyone needs assistance and reminding their neighbors to look out for the elderly. One thing we can do-simply, why not smile more? It is easy to scowl and frown when we are worried, but what if we tried the opposite? Others can still your smile at six feet.

What are you doing about COVID-19? Do you feel anxious? Are you worried? Are there any good things that you see coming from this event? How can you promote peace and calm in your household?