Be still, my soul

"Be still, my soul; your God will undertake

to guide the future as he has the past;

your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

his voice who ruled them while he lived below".

How do we find stillness in the storm, in the waves and waves of bad news?

How do we find stillness when fear of what's coming overwhelms, where words like tsunami lead our eyes to the horizon dreading the next?

How do we find stillness when our normal winter symptoms make us suspect the worst?

How do we find stillness when the cycle through hope and then fear doesn't stop spinning?

Be still my soul; your God will hold you tight

to lead you through the next as he led you through the last

Your hope, your confidence, it won't shake forever

the uncertainty of fear will become peace again

Be still, my soul; the storm clouds hovering know

his voice, that rules, that sings, that heals - leads on.

In the storm, turn away from the chasing, look away from the news, the briefings, the fountain of information - just for a moment.

And breathe.

Count to 10.

Peace in, peace out.

Look around.

For even in the storm there are hopeful things.

Even in the storm there is calm.

Even in the storm there is a safe place.

In the storm, light shines out bright and guides us home

In the storm, a star settles over an ordinary place.

Our God of peace is here.