During the pandemic of 2020, it became abundantly clear that the whole world was quaking, unlike anything we had ever experienced, at least in my lifetime. The shaking hasn’t ceased. Today, we see pro-Palestinian “protests” at colleges across our land, resulting now in thousands of arrests. The war in Israel continues. Prices keep skyrocketing beyond what the average person can sustain. People are struggling. Many are afraid and see no hope, as this nation appears to be spiraling out of control.

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See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:25–29).

The book of Hebrews tells us that God will shake everything that can be shaken. From this scripture, many perceive that it is God doing the shaking. If so, what hope do we have? I found the answer to this question in a story I was privileged to hear just a few days ago:

This man moved to the state of Florida. He had his garden professionally landscaped with gorgeous azalea bushes. What a beautiful sight they were. Each had beautiful blooms that captured the attention of all that passed by. They were stunning bushes — all except one. There was one bush that stubbornly refused to bloom. No matter what they tried, it would not bloom, it produced no flowers. Then, a massive hurricane came through his area. Within two weeks, the stubborn azalea bush produced the most beautiful blooms he had ever seen. It was magnificent. He went to speak to the gardener, wondering what had happened. The gardener said he was about to dig that azalea bush up and shake it violently. The owner asked why he would do such a thing. The gardener explained that is what they sometimes do when a bush refuses to flower. He said sometimes the violent shaking causes it to awaken and bloom. The hurricane did that for them. It shook the azalea bush so hard, so violently that it woke up and began to bloom.

Could it be that the shaking our nation is experiencing is meant to awaken Americans and cause us to bloom as originally intended? We were established as one nation under God — and we are still that. We can look back and see the many prayers that have been prayed over this nation. God has not forgotten or forsaken those faith-filled prayers. God still has a good plan for His people.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome (Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC.)

God has a good plan, a hope for our future — and this includes you and your family; it includes your city and state; it includes our country. I do not know anyone who hasn’t experienced some kind of shaking over the past few years. None of us have been exempt. This being true, perhaps we can change our focus from the shaking as a negative thing to its actually being something that will awaken things in us, destinies God has for us. Perhaps it will shake off all the ungodly things in our personal lives, in our states, and in our nation. Maybe this shaking will cause the United States of America to awaken to the divine destiny God has always had for us from the very beginning.

No, these past few years have not been pleasant. But His grace is enough — Scripture teaches us this truth:

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness … (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC).

How then do we walk through this treacherous and chaotic season? The same way Jesus did when He faced the cruelty of the cross.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne (Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT).

We must follow the example of Jesus Christ:

1. Let us know that we are not alone. We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses. God and His angels are fighting on our behalf, for our family and our nation — even as you read this.
2. Let us lay aside every weight and distraction and get our eyes firmly placed on Jesus. Let’s not allow the shaking to rattle us, but keep trusting God, keep praying, keep interceding.
3. Let us focus on what’s ahead. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Yes, things are surely shaking, but God will hold us steady, if we allow Him to. The earth with all its people may shake, but I am the one who holds it steady (Psalm 75:3 NCV).

Some shakings are personal and affect only the family. Some involve an entire nation. Could it be that in every shaking there is a lesson or a message? Perhaps shaking is sometimes a way of forcing change — breaking down old unfruitful structures, shaking loose negative things so that something new and glorious can come to fruition. Could it be that this shaking is removing everything that needs to be disposed of and releasing an awakening that will cause our nation to bloom and thrive once again? I believe so.

I have hope in God:

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12 AMPC).

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us (Romans 5:5 AMPC).

My friend, we must not lose hope in God. We must be steadfast and persevere in faith, in trust, in hope, remembering that His hope will never disappoint. This is a hope that comes from God alone. May that hope bubble over in you today, as we prayer this prayer over you:

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope (Romans 15:13 AMPC).

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Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at ANewThingMinistries.com. Photo Credit: Ben White on Unsplash.