The Weekly Word: Please remain calm

By the Rev. Daniel Larson, Cross Lutheran Church

We should all remain calm.

But how can we remain calm these days when there is so much turmoil and uncertainty? When there is so much daily fear, frustration and disturbing news, what are we to do?

We have a pandemic on our hands. The news and government officials are uncertain and are not very reassuring, and the element of trust is not there. So, on a regular basis, we find that most of what we hear is not good news.

Depression and a sense of loneliness soon begin to set in. And through it all, we are urged to remain calm.

How do we do it? Do we simply turn off our TVs? Walk our dog? Read a book?

These are good distractions for a while, but they will not offer the sustained relief, calmness and peace that our hearts and souls need.

No, the calmness and relief that we need will not be attained by simply turning off our TVs or tuning out the bad news, but by tuning in to the good news — the real Good News of God’s Word.

The calm that we need — our promise for an answer — the solution for our lives for now and for eternity, is found in the message of Christ’s Gospel.

Our hearts can be calmed by the message that Jesus proclaimed when He said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me … Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:1, 27).

You see, God doesn’t just care about our lives here in this world, but through the life, death and resurrection of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, He has done everything necessary to bring us into eternal life with Him in heaven.

Heaven is our true and lasting home — the place where all is calm and at perfect peace.

Therefore, let us remain calm in our hearts by focusing our attention on our spiritual lives here and by keeping our eyes of faith on Christ, who has redeemed us for heaven.