Having lived most of my life in the Los Angeles area, I’ve had my share of experiences with earthquakes. While I don’t relish the thought of another, they no longer terrify me and I’ve learned pretty important lessons along the way.

Two lessons stand out the most—that earthquakes aren’t acts of God, and that learning to listen for God’s voice is the greatest form of preparedness. Behind both of these lessons is the power of God that protects and guides us to safety even if disaster strikes.

The Bible tells the story of Elijah who, while standing on a mountain, confronted first a hurricane, then an earthquake, then a fire. Elijah must have realized that since these weren’t acts of God, they held no power over his life.

Following their display, the prophet heard a “still small voice,“ or what The Message Bible describes as “a gentle and quiet whisper,” which directed him to safety and later to great achievement.

The two key lessons I’ve learned from earthquakes are inherent in this story. Earthquakes, hurricanes and fires aren’t acts of God, divine Principle. What appear to be natural events are really contrary to Him and His law. They’re not inevitable because they do not have their source in God.

This may seem contrary to what we’ve been taught about how earthquakes happen. But if one gains an understanding of God as the Principle of all good, one is led inevitably to realize that His acts are beneficial, not destructive.

To call a force contrary to the nature of God an act of God actually breaks the third Commandment that says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain….” (Deut. 5:11).

The story of Elijah also points to the second lesson, which is that listening to God’s “gentle and quiet whisper” is our greatest preparedness for dealing with any tough situation.

The hardest part seems to be honing our listening skills so that we recognize the difference between God’s direction and our own fear or willfulness. But God communicates only good to us. We know His messages by the peace, comfort and blessings they bring.

It’s a little bit like tuning a radio. As one listens intently while tuning in, the static decreases until the station comes in clearly. Focusing on hearing God’s communication means tuning out the static—anything that isn’t beneficial and harmonious. This listening should be ongoing, since what one hears today may help to guide one’s steps for years to come.

Learning to listen in advance of a specific need is important. But I don’t want to leave the impression that if one doesn’t, God isn’t available to help. He is always a present and willing help.

Even if one feels estranged from God, one can turn wholeheartedly to Him in prayer, expect to feel His presence and be impelled to take the steps that restore oneself, a home, a business, a community.

A comforting example of this is when Moses led the children of Israel to the Promised Land. God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead all of them, not just those who, like Moses, prayed for direction.

The children of Israel simply had to have the humility to trust a higher power—to listen and obey what they were guided to do.

This psalm in the Bible illustrates such a simple prayer: “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust... (Ps. 16:1) Thou wilt shew me the path of life….” (Ps. 16:11).

And although it’s natural for us to pray for ourselves and our loved ones, we need also to compassionately pray for the well-being of our neighbors and others in distress—that we all might feel God’s love and see His law of good in operation.

Christian Science turns us to God for direction every step of the way. Mary Baker Eddy, in her seminal work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, articulated the importance of this point when she wrote, “The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the ‘still, small voice’ of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher” (323:28-32).

As we lean on God’s guidance, we naturally gain a greater understanding of His nature and power. And this spiritual understanding has practical application in our lives.

Several years ago, I had an experience that illustrates the importance of these two lessons. My husband and I had long looked forward to doing a major remodel on our home. However, the contractor was tied up on another job, so our project kept getting delayed.

Past experience had taught me not to be willful and force a project to move along, but to let it unfold in God’s time and way. This didn't mean I had to accept obstacles with resignation. It meant I learned to listen and allow my actions to be God-impelled and not the result of human will or personal desire.

So every time the contractor told me that the work was further delayed, I confidently reminded him not to worry. The work would begin in God’s time; I was sure of that.

Finally, after months of waiting, we had most of the contents of the house packed and stored in the garage. The dumpster and Porta Potty arrived, and demolition began, while we lived fairly comfortably in the back half of the house.

Demolition was completed on a Friday. As my husband needed to leave on Sunday for a conference and the front part of the house was exposed, a friend of mine came over to stay.

The following Monday, in the wee hours of the morning, an earthquake hit.

Instead of getting caught up in the chaos of the aftermath, I prayed to know that God in His beneficence was caring for every one of His children.

Virtually nothing was broken in our house. And we were able to make our home a refuge for others.

The parents and other family members of the friend staying with me lived less than a mile from the earthquake’s epicenter. My friend’s family needed a place to go, since their homes had suffered severe damage. We welcomed them to our home, including two rather fearful children. We were able to quiet their fear by reassuring them that God is present and on the job—His loving arms surround each one of us.

What’s more, remember that Porta Potty? Since the houses on our street had no running water for several days, we got to know neighbors we’d never met before. All of our needs were met in tangible and loving—and sometimes humorous—ways.

As I’ve thought about our home renovation project, I’ve valued God’s loving hand in it. We had begun demolition at just the right moment. Had we pushed ahead willfully, and begun a week or two earlier, we'd have been rebuilding when the earthquake hit, and it might have destroyed the new work.

Had we begun demolition later, our 1960s house, decorated with rock on the façade and fireplace, would likely have pulled apart, as many others did. But the heavy rock had all been removed. On the day of the earthquake, even some of the workers came to check on things, so we were abundantly cared for.

When we understand that acts of destruction are utterly contrary to the nature of God, we have a powerful starting point for prayer. Even in the chaotic moments that accompany earthquakes, hurricanes and fires, one can pierce through to see that God isn’t in them.

And since His power reigns supreme, the steps necessary to retain or restore harmony have already been laid out. Listening for His voice makes those steps clear. And cultivating listening skills prepares one to follow the light that leads to harmony.

Spiritual preparedness:

King James Bible
I Kings 19:11, 12