YOU will hear of wars and rumours of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. (Matthew 24:6)

Jesus’ words ring in my mind every time I turn on the news. I AM alarmed.

Unsettling changes are everywhere. I do not recall a time when the news has been so disorienting.

Anyone else feel the same? When unsettling things happen (political unrest, economic chaos, or a new diagnosis) our first instinct is fear.

For many of us, our responses to fear are not positive. We freeze. We are aggressive. We run away. We appease.

When we are afraid, we lose the capacity to reach out to others in ways that reflect God’s values of love, compassion and generosity.

In times like this, it is imperative to look after our inner lives. Our inner lives deeply matter.

In stressful times, we need to practice self-compassion and reflection so that we can respond to the world with wisdom, courage and love.

But, my frightened-self whines, you are far too small and insignificant to make any difference – what can you do?

I want to hide and retreat and wail at God. How can God allow the world to be like this?

But the thing is… God doesn’t allow the world to be like this. We do.

I believe that God calls us into creative partnership with him – a partnership meant to align the world with God’s values and benefit us all.

To paraphrase Psalm 27, the LORD is our light and our salvation – whom shall we fear?

Therefore, we need to develop practices which will teach us to be aware of God’s presence, encouragement and reassurance.

Religious practices are important but for this moment, while we might not be able to change the hearts of world leaders, we can practice loving our neighbours.

If we are small, let’s start small. Let’s respond to fear with neighbourliness.

Pay attention to what is happening in our communities. Who is grieving? Who is lonely?

Let’s walk out our doors and learn to see our neighbours as they really are, not who we assume they are.

We need to listen more than we speak.

Let’s open our homes to each other – eat together, play games together. No one will notice that you haven’t dusted.

Serve soup, or beans on toast. Fancy is overrated.

And give away the leftovers to your friend who is just home from the hospital. Don’t be afraid of leaning on each other.

Call on the people next door – remind them that you are there for them, just over the fence.

Communities are messy and complex, but also full of joy and surprise.

Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said “You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Let’s do that. It will change the world.

Laura Armstrong

Licensed Lay Minister

North Creedy Benefice