When Things Are Shaking

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Psalm 46:1-2

Have you ever felt an earthquake? Maybe you felt only a minor tremor, or perhaps it was an earthquake that caused damage. The strength of an earthquake is measured in magnitudes, with 10 as the highest. At magnitude 5.5 to 6.0, there is damage to structures and buildings. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.0 and greater can destroy a whole community.

In 1960, Chile experienced an earthquake that was a magnitude of 9.5. Thousands of people were killed. Not only that, it also triggered a tsunami that killed people in Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii. More recently, in 2010, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 shook Haiti. There were many aftershocks that did additional damage. Over three million people were affected by the earthquake, and many Haitians still live in tent cities—areas where only plastic sheets or tents provide shelter.

If you haven’t experienced being shaken by a real earthquake, maybe there has been a time when it felt as if things in your life were shaking. Maybe your dad got a new job and you had to move to a new city. That meant leaving your friends, school, and church behind. Or maybe the transition from elementary school to middle school was rough. It left you confused and trying to find your way. It could be that you are growing and changing, and it seems as if your emotions are going crazy. One minute you’re happy, and the next you’re sad or worried.

The good thing is that whether you are shaking from a physical earthquake or you feel as if your life is shaking from changes or hard times, God is ready to help. He doesn’t always stop earthquakes or even the consequences of them, but he’s always there. He’ll be with you and give you peace as you go through times of trouble. Take time to read your Bible more during tough times. Connect with God through prayer, and ask him to help you feel his presence.

The psalmist knew that trouble would come, but he had confidence that God would be with him even if the mountains crumbled into the sea.

Take time today to read Psalm 46 and Psalm 91. Both of them are assurances of God’s protection during times of trouble. Even if you aren’t facing earthquakes in your life now, these are still good psalms to become familiar with for when those tough times come.