Foundation: When You’re On Shaky Ground - DJ Feitl
It was a perfect Spring Day… perfect temperature and
beautiful sunshine! We rented a lakeside
cabin for a celebration. The family was
taking a walk and I was in the cabin. Suddenly there was a VERY loud noise that
sounded like a train. The ground began shaking
and the hanging light fixtures were swinging. At 12:23 p.m. on May 2nd, 2015 a 4.2 Earthquake occurred in
Michigan!!! Having experienced a 6.7 earthquake while living in California, it
felt familiar and I quickly took refuge in a doorway. The rental cabin felt like it was on a firm foundation. I immediately asked the Lord to keep my
family safe. It lasted only a few seconds, but it still sent a chill of shock
and fear of the ground moving uncontrollably beneath my feet.
Like natural earthquakes, relational earthquakes can
damage, destroy and sometimes cause irreparable devastation. Natural earthquakes are caused by major
faults beneath the ground. Relational
earthquakes are centered on major faults that lie deep within our flesh
nature. Those human faults rumble
beneath our new nature in Christ until the relentless pressure causes an
emotional break. While Seismologists can
give us “what-to-do” lists in the event of an earthquake, The Lord has provided
disaster relief guidelines regarding life’s emotional tremors. He has given us principles from His Word to
equip us for relational earthquakes
As far back as I can remember, my Mom and I have
always had a challenging & complex relationship. Recently I visited her in New York. Suddenly, the relational earthquake hit
hard! I was standing on shaky ground again. It happened quickly … I needed to respond
& not react!!! I needed to seek refuge … “On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand”… my Only Firm Foundation. I needed to
revisit the steps to recovery. It was a
choice I had to make.
ACKNOWLEDGE what happened.
Living life here on earth makes us susceptible to human faults! We read in
Isaiah 43:1-3 – “I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be
with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…
For I am your God”!!! Whenever we are
suddenly shaken, jolted and shattered by relationship tremors, it is only the
heart-knowledge of God’s presence that enables us to maintain balance no matter
how shaky it gets.
ASSESS
the internal damage. Darkness always
accompanies relational earthquakes. We
need light to work our way through the emotional debris. Ephesians 5:8-9 holds a comforting assessment
verse. “For once you were full of
darkness, but now you have light from the Lord.
So live as people of light! For
this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” (NLV)
ACCEPT
what has happened. We cannot ignore the
brokenness. The cracks may seem small;
but they can go deep. Psalm 46:10
reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Focus on our Solid Foundation … Jesus! No matter what happens, He brings healing in
His time!
We all face choices in relational earthquakes. Will I remain frozen in the paralyzing pain
& fear? Will I allow my spiritual
vision to be blurred? Will I focus on II
Corin. 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all
things at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good
work.”? It’s a liberating decree that we don’t have to do it alone! We can ADVANCE
by strengthening our foundation in God’s Word!
DJ Feitl
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteLadies to comment on this and future posts - click on the drop down for "Comment as:" and choose Name/URL; you will be prompted to enter your name (you are not required to add a URL, just your name). Then add your comment (you can click on "Preview" or just click on "Publish"; once you click "Publish" you'll need to click the box to "prove your not a robot" then click "Publish" to post your comment.
ReplyDelete-- Julie Johns (Admin Ministry Coordinator, gracespring Bible Church)
Thank you, DJ, for this reminder of our sure foundation, in all of life's storms.
ReplyDeleteFinally figured out how to comment. Filing this one away, DJ! I have enjoyed all of these posts. Such a fresh perspective from each and every one of you.
ReplyDelete