A few weeks ago, in psychology class, a professor asked us if we knew what the only two fears are that we are all born with. We made a lot of guesses, but we didn't guess right. The only two fears are the fear of falling or losing ground under your feet and the fear of a strong, sudden or surprising sound. All other fears that we have, have been acquired throughout our lives. That's when I first heard this information. I stored it in a drawer and forgot about it.
One Sunday, at 6:24 a.m., that drawer opened. The powerful earthquake that hit Zagreb (Croatia's capital) and its surroundings triggered both of those fears, but also many others!
The powerful sound and feeling of losing the ground under my feet shook me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. For the first few minutes I was just sitting on the bed, in shock looking at the wall and shaking with fear, not knowing if this was just another nightmare or reality. "Please, God, say it’s not real!"
But it was. And then, after an hour, that reality happened again. And a few more times during the day too. I'd be lying if I said I fell asleep peacefully the next night. Because I didn't.
And when in the midst of the earthquake and corona virus a snowstorm came too, my heart filled with worry and my mind began to doubt and question. God, are you really in control? Oh, how many times have I asked Him that question!
Nobody really prepares us for situations like these, do they? Even if we try to prepare, until a storm like that comes and turns our lives around, we can't quite be ready. Remember what Jesus did when the storm raged? He was asleep. He didn't sleep because He didn't care about His friends in danger. He was asleep because He knew who was in control, and He knew that if His disciples called Him for help now, He was there and He would calm the storm.
A friend posted this picture of the storm and a text alongside it that I read on Monday when my heart was still agitated and I couldn't sleep. At first you don't see Jesus in this dark picture of the storm. I didn't see Him at 6:24 on Sunday. But zoom in on the picture and you'll see the outline of His raised hands calming the storm.
One Sunday, at 6:24 a.m., that drawer opened. The powerful earthquake that hit Zagreb (Croatia's capital) and its surroundings triggered both of those fears, but also many others!
The powerful sound and feeling of losing the ground under my feet shook me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. For the first few minutes I was just sitting on the bed, in shock looking at the wall and shaking with fear, not knowing if this was just another nightmare or reality. "Please, God, say it’s not real!"
But it was. And then, after an hour, that reality happened again. And a few more times during the day too. I'd be lying if I said I fell asleep peacefully the next night. Because I didn't.
And when in the midst of the earthquake and corona virus a snowstorm came too, my heart filled with worry and my mind began to doubt and question. God, are you really in control? Oh, how many times have I asked Him that question!
Nobody really prepares us for situations like these, do they? Even if we try to prepare, until a storm like that comes and turns our lives around, we can't quite be ready. Remember what Jesus did when the storm raged? He was asleep. He didn't sleep because He didn't care about His friends in danger. He was asleep because He knew who was in control, and He knew that if His disciples called Him for help now, He was there and He would calm the storm.
A friend posted this picture of the storm and a text alongside it that I read on Monday when my heart was still agitated and I couldn't sleep. At first you don't see Jesus in this dark picture of the storm. I didn't see Him at 6:24 on Sunday. But zoom in on the picture and you'll see the outline of His raised hands calming the storm.
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