Teresa and I just drove the twenty-six miles from our home in Pigeon Forge to Knoxville. The roads leading through Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are eerily quiet for this time of year in this tourist area of Tennessee. Usually, the streets are filled bumper to bumper with those coming for a visit to see the shows, visit the amusement parks, or just drive through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Not this year. It is quiet. Very, very quiet. There was no traffic to contend with: no honking horns from impatient drivers ready to launch from the traffic light the millisecond it changes from red to green; no pedestrians crowding through the street crossings, blocking traffic; no window gawkers, driving slower than the 35 mile per hour speed limit allows. A veritable ghost town: businesses closed, restaurants serving only take-out or drive-through, hotels empty.

What are we to do in light of this shut-down? How are we to fill our time when we have nothing but time to fill? For those who might be a little stir-crazy, experiencing cabin fever at panic levels, let’s take a few minutes. Begin with a simple breathing exercise: breathe in, slowly, hold the breath in for a few seconds, then exhale, even more slowly. Do it again, this time with your eyes closed. Let your body relax as you do this simple breathing exercise for a couple of minutes. Purposefully allow the stress to leave your body. Silence your mind. Let the thoughts that are dominant dissipate.

Now, let your mind be filled with new thoughts. A good place to start can be found in Paul’s letter to his friends in the city of Philippi. Read these words slowly, carefully, pausing to dwell on each admonition:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.”

Philippians 4:7-8

Much too often I feel we allow our minds to be filled with the wrong kind of thoughts. Right now, in the midst of this earth-shattering pandemic, it is so easy to allow our minds to focus on fear. Paul was certainly one who could have justifiably been overcome with a sense of panic. As he penned these words, he was imprisoned, awaiting word of his impending fate. He had stated earlier in this same letter that the result of this imprisonment could be his death, and in light of that he made the startling assertion:

“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21

How could he possibly have made such a statement? Simply because Paul behaved according to his belief. Let me say that again, and please, allow the words to settle deeply in your mind and spirit: Paul behaved according to his belief. He truly believed that anything and everything he experienced in this life was unworthy of being compared with what awaited him beyond physical death. He then maintained a proper perspective on what happens here and now by focusing on things that await the believer in Jesus Christ. Listen to his words in his letter to the Colossians:

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-3

Focus your mind on things above! We too often have our minds fixed steadfastly on things of the earth, and we feel overwhelmed, defeated, disillusioned, distressed. But wait! If you have been raised with Christ – if you are a born again believer in the saving power of Jesus’ sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and triumphant ascension to the right hand of His Father – then you are eternally established on the solid Rock of Ages. Please, please, I beseech you in the name of our Lord Himself, dwell on these things!

And if you do, then I can assure you of the most reassuring thought you can have in these difficult times. Again, directly from the words of the Apostle Paul:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4″6-7

To paraphrase: turn to God, trust in God, leave the results to God, and experience the peace of God. This is my prayer for everyone who reads these words. Amen!