The other day a friend of mine wrote on his Facebook page that ‘sometimes you’ve got to lose to gain.’ Yeah, well we’ve all heard or read that somewhere before but it really hits home when you’re currently in the midst of experiencing it. And everyone has at one point or another experienced it. Recently, I received some unexpected news and I must admit that it shook my world for a few hours. Questions of What, Where, Who, and the inevitable Why quickly raced through my brain. But I have learned to make what I call “earthquake shifts.”

As we know earthquakes are unexpected, unpredictable, disruptive and scary. And they can range anywhere between 1 and 10 on the Earthquake Richter Scale depending on their severity and potential damage they may cause. And so it is with our lives. At times, we experience situations or circumstances that range from annoyances and minor disruptions to level 10 life-changing experiences that instill fear and leave us questioning our ability to recover. Earthquakes are inevitable, but shifts require work.

To shift is to change our perspective on the situation. It is to voluntarily transition from seeing things through our limited, natural vision to seeing them through the eyes of GOD. Shifting often doesn’t come easy because it’s quite unnatural. It is unnatural to see loss as gain. And at times shifting may require that we forgive the unforgivable. Shifting requires faith that despite what we see GOD is in control (Psalm 24:1), that He has a future plan on the other side of our ‘earthquake’ (Jeremiah 29:11) and that He is capable of working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). Shifts are necessary for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Because without shifting we get stuck and are left to re-experience the earthquakes time and time again, with no Heavenly support. This is painful and unnecessary. So, shifting is a choice to surrender. Surrender requires faith. And faith, my friend pleases GOD (Hebrews 11:6).

We are so blessed to have a Savior who is touched by our infirmities as He, Himself has experienced what can be seen as an ‘earthquake shift.’ In the book of Luke it is written that while in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus ‘being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ It weighed so heavily on His heart that He was about to experience separation from GOD (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46), undergo excruciating physical pain (Isaiah 52:14), and receive rejection, hatred and ridicule from those He was so madly in love with (John 1:11). But in His wisdom, He made a shift and surrendered it all to His Father as He said, “Not My will but Your will be done.” It was at that moment that He no longer focused on the earthquake but shifted His focus on what was on the other side of the earthquake (our salvation). (Luke 22:39-46) So, to shift is to focus forward towards the future. And as you see GOD knows, my friend how painful life earthquakes can be. He wants you to surrender that pain to Him today. He wants to show you the extraordinary future He has ahead of you.

So, my friend what earthquakes are you in need of shifting? A layoff, 30 days to vacate, or an unexpected break-up? Perhaps it’s that something you desperately hoped for fell apart? Or could it be the loss of a loved one or unfavorable news from the doctor? Whatever range your earthquake falls, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and He longs to soothe and repair all of the damage the earthquake’s caused. Shifts can only come by allowing GOD to work through you. Are you ready to surrender the fear, anger, anxiety and hopelessness? Are you willing to make the shift to seeing things through the eyes of GOD? He is waiting to restore your hope in the future. He is ready to replace your fear with faith. And He is able to give you indescribable peace. But you must go before Him in prayer and ask Him to help you make the shift from relying on your own wisdom and strength to leaning on His everlasting love, wisdom, power, and might. It is then that He can make beauty of your ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you allowing GOD to restore and repair any and all damage that life’s earthquakes may have caused. I see you surrendering all the broken pieces to Him and in return GOD showing you the blessings on the other side. And boy am I ever so excited for you!