Natural disasters are not a new issue around the world. The flash floods alongside Cyclone Gabrielle which happened towards the end of January and in February in 2023 affecting regions in the North Island of Aotearoa, has not only caused damage to thousands of homes, vehicles and places but also taken some lives.
As a lot of the media are now focusing on the recovery post these natural disasters, there are also talks about how to prepare ourselves for these. While it should definitely be a top priority to future proof our nation from more flooding and other similar disasters, I wonder if we would ever be fully ready for a natural disaster.
After all, a natural disaster is exactly what it is, natural and a disaster. It is 'caused by forces beyond human control that causes damage to property…and people' (Insurance Council of New Zealand).
Natural disasters occur regardless of whether we are prepared for them or not. What it does help is to minimise their impacts on us the more prepared we are which then allows us to help others through them.
So, how should Christians prepare for natural disasters? Here are some simple yet profound ABCs - Acknowledge, Build, Commit
Acknowledge
The first step to be prepared for something is to acknowledge that it could happen. Not that it would definitely happen and that we are expecting it to but at the same time not dismissing the possibility of it either.
Probably, one of the silliest thoughts is to think that natural disasters would not happen to us just because we are Christians. Noah faced the floods as well, even though he was a devout Christian.
Note that God did not take Noah out of the flood or magically manoeuvre the waters around Noah, though He definitely could (like when He parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through it on dry land). Noah also went through and experienced the flood.
The difference was that God prepared him for it so he would survive through the massive flood.
Build
Though I'm not suggesting that God is going to inform us ahead of time about a particular natural disaster, as He did with Noah regarding the flood, what I am suggesting is that God gives us the wisdom to deal with it. He is more than able to provide a means for us through whatever natural disasters.
However, like the case of Noah, Noah was the one who had to build the ark which kept him safe. We need to play our part in building the city that we live in so it is safe for us to live in.
Even when there are people who would mock our efforts when we build, like the people who laughed at Noah for preparing when there wasn't any water in sight, we need to stand firm and not waver as we continue to build for the future.
The good part is, we are never alone. Noah had his family who built the ark with him and we too will find people who will come alongside us to build with us.
Commit
Psalms 91, verses 1 to 13 speaks of God's promises to us through natural disasters and through it all as we commit to Him and trust Him with our lives.
'You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—
he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you’re perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched,
watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.'
It's almost as if this was a forewarning to us that bad things like natural disasters will happen around us, yet we can take courage when we commit our lives to Him. That we don't need to fear, not because we won't face any physical damage or lost, but that through it all we will emerge spiritually stronger.
God and me
That's why we can acknowledge that natural disasters do happen, then build together with the wisdom given to us, commit our lives to God who promises that no problem or natural disaster is bigger or beyond Him.
There are lots of things happening in this world but the one thing that allows us to come out of natural disasters with praise is because we know who our God is and who we are. As verse 2 of '10,000 armies' by Influence Music goes,
'No weapon against me will prosper or stand
‘Cause I’ve got a promise from the Son of Man
I throw off my armor and raise up my hands
I know my God and I know who I am
I know my God and I know who I am'
Indeed, 'bigger the battle, greater my faith'!
Esther Koh is a primary school teacher living in Christchurch with her husband and two sons. She loves people and has a passion for helping others find their purpose for living.
Esther Koh’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/esther-koh.html