On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:35-39 ESV).

When mariners describe a tempest no sailor can escape they call it a perfect storm. Not perfect in the sense of ideal. But perfect in the sense of combining contributing factors.

You don’t need to be a fisherman to experience a perfect storm. All you need is a layoff plus a recession. A disease plus a breakup. We can handle one challenge — but two or three at a time? It’s enough to make you wonder, "Will I survive?"

Paul’s answer to that question is profound and concise:

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

This is not a peace from God. Our Father gives us the very peace of God.

We should be upset, but we aren’t. The peace of God transcends all logic. This kind of peace is not a human achievement. It is a gift from above. This peace is God's perfect gift for the perfect storm!

From Max's book, Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World.

It is a gift from above.