Preventing Earthquakes from Becoming Lifequakes

For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  (Romans 8;22 NLT)

            This devotion was inspired and developed from comments made in Dr. David Jeremiah’s May 2012 Turning Points. 

            The movement of tectonic plates against one another creates tremendous pressure to build until one of the plates slides over or under the other causing an earthquake.  The magnitude of the eruption or explosion determines the extent of the damage along the fault line. The greatest damage occurs at the epicenter of the quake. 

            A similar occurrence takes place in the lives of believers worldwide.  Due to the presence of the sinful nature in us, we all possess fault lines that must be controlled in order to present earthquakes from becoming “lifequakes.”  There is nothing scientists can do to prevent earthquakes, but there are steps we can take to keep lifequakes from happening in our lives. 

            First, we need to recognize and accept the fact that we all possess fault lines – not one of us is perfect.  The bible says, ”For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”  (Romans 3:23 NLT). 

            Second, we need to take responsibility for the fault lines and stop “blaming our parents, our genes, our environment, our socio-economic status, our lack of education – anything but ourselves.”  (Turning Points, May 2012, p.7)

            What are some of the common excuses that people use to avoid taking responsibility for their negative behavior?  Several that Dr. Jeremiah mentions are “the devil made me do it” (popularized by Flip Wilson in the seventies), the blame game (started by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they blamed the serpent, each other, and God for their fall into sin), and pointing the finger.  Have you ever noticed that when you point your finger at someone else, there are still four left that point that to you? 

            How do we control the pressures of sin and overcome the tendency to yield causing an earthquake that disrupts the body of Christ?  One way is to immerse ourselves in the word of God that will help us resist the temptations thrown our way.  Another is to develop a regular prayer life with an accountability partner who shares our concerns.  If left unattended, earthquakes can erupt into lifequakes that cause irreparable damage.