How to Respond When God Allows Natural Disasters to Hurt, Destroy His Creation

In 2004, there was a powerful earthquake in the Indian Ocean that caused tsunamis with waves as high as 100 feet, which devastated the coastal areas of 11 countries. More than 230,000 people died as a result. How should we view God in light of this? Despite natural disasters, can we still trust in Him to watch over and protect us, His creation? Minister David Bryant says we can’t let our unanswered questions deter us from trusting God.

“We need to admit that right off the top, some of these things must be left unanswered for the present time, though they will be fully explained when all things reach their final conclusion,” Bryant says. “And yet the truth remains that right now Christ reigns. And He reigns effectively. At times, it certainly is crippled and corrupted by fallen men. It’s been placed under a divine curse, from which all natural disasters spring, and we read about that in Romans Chapter 8.

“… Jesus may permit and even employ some of these disasters to give earth peoples a preview of the final righteous retributions of God. What we’re learning is that today is the day of salvation, not to postpone turning to Jesus any longer, cautioning us that we may not have tomorrow, reminding us that life is fragile. And that Christ alone is the only refuge we have, from the most grievous disaster of all. And that disaster is eternal separation from God.”

It can be easy to assume, when we see natural disasters, that the end times are here. But bad things are going to happen regardless, due to sinful human nature. We need to not panic, but turn to God when climate change and other things start to threaten His beautiful creation, Bryant says on the Christ Today podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.

“This is a cursed planet,” Bryant says. “… But for us as believers, what we see going on in creation, even in this time when there’s so much discussion about the impact of climate change, whatever. Pollution, the exploitation of creation, the destruction by violence and warfare—it’s going to go on, and it’s going to push us one way or another.

“And for believers, we need to run for refuge to the one who’s Lord over all, knowing that He will bring it all out right in the end, and He’ll do the same for each of us as we rest in Him.”

To listen to the entire episode titled “Here’s how He rules over the works of Creation,” click here.