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Currently visiting family in New Zealand, I took a morning stroll to the beach. I noticed an unusual signboard: SOPHIE’S BOUTIQUE IS CLOSED FOR SEISMIC STRENGTHENING.

At first, I imagined this was a winsome way of saying the business was expanding. Then I realised we are in an earthquake zone. The building was being strengthened to minimise the damage, should an earthquake occur.

For the rest of my walk, I chewed over the implications. Earthquakes can happen so suddenly and unexpectedly. Everyone here still talks about the Christchurch earthquakes of  2010 and 2011. The thorough research following these natural disasters, assisted New Zealand authorities to ensure the population, all arms of government and businesses were trained, informed and prepared.

Being Prepared Saves Lives

Like Japan, which has also suffered many earthquakes, New Zealand has changed its building codes, legislated public safety, advice and training to minimise loss of life and damage to property. Learning from the devastation has earned New Zealand high praise as it shares its knowledge for the benefit of earthquake-prone communities around the world.

Interestingly, despite geophysicists’ best efforts, no-one can reliably predict when a major earthquake will occur. There are areas of the earth’s surface more likely to experience tremors and quakes, such as areas along major fault lines.  But predicting when they will occur is currently impossible.

When Disaster Strikes

You don’t have to be in an earthquake zone to experience the devastating effects of what seems like an earthquake in your personal life, community or nation. Devastation can happen suddenly, as with a major accident or natural disaster (floods and fires).

Now, with advanced technology, disasters are in our living rooms in graphic detail. The anguish of searching for the lost in the rubble, the confusion and disbelief at what happened are experienced vicariously, causing some people great mental anxiety.

For Many, the COVID Epidemic was Earth-Shattering

The worldwide COVID-19 epidemic is said to have caused major mental disorders in thousands of people. WHO surveys estimated a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus summed up the triggers as:

“One major explanation for the increase is the unprecedented stress caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic. Linked to this were constraints on people’s ability to work, seek support from loved ones and engage in their communities.

Loneliness, fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and for loved ones, grief after bereavement and financial worries have also all been cited as stressors leading to anxiety and depression. Among health workers, exhaustion has been a major trigger for suicidal thinking.

Probably most of us, at some point in our lives, have experienced a sudden, unexpected loss which may not be as disastrous as an earthquake, but at the time, it seems like it.

Building Resilience

Psychologists and sociologists identify ways to develop resilience in the secular world. For example, the Mayo Clinic suggests:

• “Get connected. Building strong, healthy relationships.
  Connect with others by volunteering or joining a faith or spiritual group.”
  Interestingly, they recognise what the Bible encourages us to do:

 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing.
Instead, let us encourage one another all the more,
since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. ~ Hebrews 10:25

When we meet together, pray together and share our burdens, it really helps to keep our focus on Jesus and not ourselves, or our trauma.

• “Make every day have meaning. Do something that gives you a sense of success and purpose every day.”
  God has a purpose for your life. You are precious to Him. But we all need help to find that purpose. God invites us to seek His wisdom and guidance in our lives.

Without a vision, the people perish. ~ Proverbs 29:18

• “Learn from the past. Think of how you’ve coped with troubles in the past.”

One of the most oft-repeated words in the Bible is ‘remember’. As we remember how God has acted in the past, and that “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), we deepen our faith in His character, His goodness, His faithfulness and His love.

• “Stay hopeful. You can’t change the past, but you can always look toward the future.”

Resilient people, those who can withstand the shocks common to us all, have an optimistic outlook and stay hopeful. The Lord’s wonderful promise is:

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

• “Take care of yourself. Tend to your own needs and feelings.”

When you are overwhelmed with tragedy, and bowed down with sorrow, Jesus invites you to come to Him. His Shalom – that peace that passes all understanding, will renew and refresh you. When you are worried or burdened, Jesus invites you to surrender those cares to Him, trusting that He is actively concerned about your well-being and will take care of you. It’s a call to fully trust God’s love and support in the face of anxieties.

Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7

• “Take action. Don’t ignore your problems.”

When trouble comes, we should not waste time ruminating on the why, or what might happen next. Instead, Jesus invites us to trust Him (the opposite of fear), to not be anxious, because He is with us. He knows us completely and promises to never leave us.

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

Be the Overcomer

With Jesus beside us, His Spirit within us, and His Word to guide us, we have a strong foundation. Jesus illustrated this beautifully when He told the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. The wise man builds his house upon the rock – the foolish man builds his house upon the sand.

But note the opening phrase: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like… [Matt. 7:24]. When we are mindful of Jesus’ words and put them into practice, He promises to be our Rock! When the earthquake comes, our Seismic Strengthening will hold us fast.

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Image courtesy of Adobe.