While serving as a pastor in Upstate New York, I learned a detail of American history I was oblivious to. Elderly parishioners from that area recounted living under blackout restrictions during World War II, much as Londoners had. While I cannot substantiate their accounts with historical documents, I was told they had lived with the very real fear of an enemy attack on American soil. Hence, their towns and villages were darkened at night as a precaution.

In 2001, we faced similar fears together. Comfortably far from New York City in the days following 9/11, we were uncomfortably close to a nuclear power plant. Daily broadcasts urging preparedness for possible terrorist attacks on nuclear sites were unnerving.

So, when we were awakened one Sunday morning by the sound of a megaphone barking instructions from a truck as it passed slowly through town, more than a few of us assumed it was to tell us to tape our doors and windows, the plant had been hit. Thankfully, that was not so, and we went to church as usual, and even a church outing, unusually grateful for one more day of peace and tranquility.

Sobering warnings made the news again, last week. What if terrorists hit the power grid and knock out power from coast to coast, plunging us from light to darkness, warmth to frigid cold? The capability and the potential are there for it to happen. What of lone wolf terrorists who can strike anywhere at any time? It seems no generation or people are exempt from truly ominous concerns.

So, where, in the face of fears, real and imagined, can we find peace and tranquility? As Jesus prepared his early disciples to face life without him physically present, he warned them of the very real dangers and troubles they could expect to face. He did so, not to leave them unsettled, but to prepare them and to teach them how to find peace even in the midst of disquieting times.

“I have told you these things,” Jesus said, “so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33, NIV). No matter what troubles we face, we can find peace in and through Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus counsels his followers: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me,” (John 14:1, NIV).

The Psalmist wrote that, the one who trusts in God, need have “no fear of bad news” as long as “his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord,” (Psalm 112:7, NIV). Such a person can feel secure even in insecure times (112:8).

The Prophet Isaiah wrote similarly, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” (26:3, KJV). Though a bit archaic, I love the King James Version of that verse. And, I love that verse. Isaiah knew whereof he spoke. He lived through deeply troubled times – socially, politically, and economically. Yet, he learned to find his peace in God.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I invite you to join me in giving thanks for the peace we have enjoyed as a nation for so many years, and the peace we can continue to enjoy by trusting in Christ, whatever befalls us, as a nation or as individuals.

The Rev. Nancy Overgaard is part of the Freeborn County Ministerial Association.