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No matter where you live, some catastrophic natural disaster is always waiting to happen. The list includes earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and erupting volcanoes. Of course, one inch of snow can bring a city in the South to a complete standstill.
I remember my excitement at moving to a remote peninsula along the Ring of Fire in Far East Russia. The landscape, reminding me of my home in Alaska, brought a comforting familiarity.
One day, my daughter and I were home alone when the apartment began lightly swaying from side to side. I immediately recognized that we were experiencing a slight tremor.
Coming from Alaska, where tremors and earthquakes were part of our daily lives, we were not overly concerned. Usually, we'd feel one slight tremor, and it was over. Rarely did we feel multiple tremors in one day unless a full-blown earthquake occurred.
The tremors kept coming every 30-60 minutes. After several shakes, I became increasingly fearful and formulated a plan. I instructed my daughter to grab the dog, and I'd grab the to-go bag if we needed to evacuate the building.
I decided to call a local friend, Sveta, and ask about the tremors.
Sveta laughingly replied, "Robin, haven't you looked out the window? It's just the volcano on the edge of town acting up. See the plume of smoke? It's no big deal."
I rolled my eyes. No. Big. Deal. Just smoke floating from an active volcano. I'd been prepared for small tremors but not for the possibility of flowing lava. I knew I needed to turn to the Lord with my fears.
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our refuge and help in times of trouble and lists several natural disasters. I remembered how God had carried me through tremors and earthquakes. And even with the unknown of flowing lava, I didn't need to fear because God was with me. He'd carried me through the earthquake; He could handle the volcano.
We can rest in the promise that God is our ever-present help in trouble. He's there, whether the earthquake is physical, emotional, or spiritual.
He's ever-present.
When have you encountered an unexpected experience in your ministry that caused fear but ultimately deepened your trust in God's ever-present help? How did this experience change your perspective on facing future unknowns?
Early in my family's ministry, we faced the murder of colleagues. I was terrified for our family and how this would impact my children. But God sent an overwhelming peace. So much peace that a month later, we moved into the apartment where our colleagues were murdered. Eventually, I thanked God that this experience happened early in our ministry because I learned that God would walk with me each step of the way. Whenever a new fear arises, I can reflect on how God was an ever-present help and comfort in the past, and this assurance makes it easier to quickly turn my fear over to the Lord.