What better time than this to return to the site. As the coronavirus threat grows steadily around the world, we in the US are coming to terms with it in ways new to me. For the first time I have witnessed and been caught up in what I’m terming mob mentality. I’ve seen the images of crowded stores and empty shelves on television, but not until yesterday did I witness the panic this virus is causing. Here in a little country town of just over 7000 residents, the large and always adequately stocked local grocery store was jammed with shoppers of all demographics. Only five shopping carts were available; why I grabbed one remains a mystery. The three items I went in to buy did not require a cart! . The frenzy of shoppers in every aisle and the long, long checkout lines brought home the reality that people were panicked. Both food and non-food shelves were empty; the meat department sold out. Despite my incredulity at what I saw, soon I too was picking up items I had not come to buy. As I passed through the aisles, a little panic imp whispered, ” Better get that, You may need it,” And so I did. My three items swelled to more than triple that number, Items I use, yes, but not items I needed at the moment. Later as I pondered the experience, I thought how easily I was caught up in the mood of the crowd; how panic takes over and reasonable thought flies away. . Even those of us who know better, who know the Lord and His promises, can be carried along by the mentality of the mob. The virus threat is real. People will contract it; some will be hospitalized; some will recover; some will die, Those are the truths of pandemics that strike humanity. But the greater truth is panic responses are never antidotes; they serve only to multiply the difficulties communities face in times of crisis. I am abashed that I allowed myself to fall under its sway. I wish I could have gone in the store and come out with just the three items I needed and nothing more. As this emergency continues, I will intentionally seek the peace that Jesus promises to all who believe in Him as Savior and Lord. And I will demonstrate that peace in my actions, no matter what the mob is doing. Stay tuned to this space. Blessings.
Beverly KND Clopton writes nonfiction primarily from a Christian perspective. The author of six published devotional books, she also writes commentary regarding current societal issues that impact those who strive to live "in" the world without being "of" the world.