When Your World Is Shaking, God Is Talking | Hebrews 12:27

Have You Ever Felt Like Your Life Is Falling Apart?

You ever had one of those moments where it feels like everything is shifting? Your plans fall apart, relationships get rocky, money starts acting funny, and suddenly, life is throwing you around like you’re in a spin cycle? Yeah. That moment right there, that’s when God is talking.

I am currently in the process of rereading the book of Hebrews during my Bible study time, and today I came across Hebrews 12:27. And wow!

Hebrews 12:27 (ESV) says: "This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain."

Translation? Sometimes, God will let things in your life shake so that only what’s truly from Him remains standing. When your world starts trembling, it’s not just random chaos, it’s divine communication. He’s shifting things, removing things, and preparing you for something greater. But let’s break this down, because we need to know: What is God saying when our world is shaking?

Personal Testimony: My Own Season of Shaking

When I first fully surrendered my life to Christ, I mean FULLY. No more living lukewarm but committed to picking up my cross daily, my world was shaken drastically. I lost friendships, had to move abruptly from the home I was living in, had to give up my business, had to start taking care of my dad who I have had a broken relationship with for years due to his drug use, got into a bad car accident, and the list goes on. All of this happened in the same year and none of it I initiated. It seemed to have just happened.

Looking back, I see now God was shaking my life so that everything that was built on a worldly foundation crumbled. He began to guide me and I started to rebuild my foundation in Christ. I gained new friendships and even an old friend who was always good to me came back into my life. My family and I moved into a home in a great school district within our budget miraculously. I am now in school pursuing my degree in Nursing and also working full-time from home with an amazing company. I got another vehicle which I love even more than the one that was totaled in the accident, and I have less worry and anxiety and more peace and faith. Praise God!

But in those moments, when I was going through, it felt like torture. God was consuming me with His fire and I felt the burn. However, I would not change anything because now that I have gone through the shaking, I find myself going through fewer shaking moments because my foundation is firm in Christ. Before though, my life was a chaotic hot mess with one thing happening after the other. I never even knew peace like this existed!

God Shakes to Remove What’s Not From Him

Let’s be real, sometimes we hold onto things that God never intended for us. A relationship that is draining the life out of us, a job that’s keeping us from our purpose, or even habits and mindsets that are keeping us spiritually stagnant. And because God loves us too much to let us stay stuck, He’ll shake things up so we can finally let go.

Example: The Israelites in the Wilderness

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, but when things got tough, they wanted to run back to what was familiar (Numbers 14:3-4). They were willing to trade the Promised Land for slavery just because they were uncomfortable. Sound familiar? Sometimes, we cling to things that were never meant to go with us into our next season, and God has to shake us loose.

Lesson: If something is being removed from your life, don’t chase after it, ask God if He’s the one doing the removing. If He is, trust that whatever is leaving wasn’t meant to stay.

God Shakes to Get Our Attention

Ever notice how when life is going smooth, we can get… a little relaxed in our faith? We pray less, we read our Bibles less, and we start depending on ourselves instead of Him. And then... BOOM! Life shakes, and suddenly we’re in full prayer warrior mode. God doesn’t shake us to punish us; He shakes us to wake us up.

Example: Jonah Running from God

Jonah was out here trying to do his own thing, running from God’s assignment (Jonah 1:1-3). So what did God do? He sent a storm to shake up Jonah’s plans. Not to destroy him, but to redirect him back to his purpose.

Lesson: If your life is feeling unstable, ask: “God, are You trying to get my attention?” Because if He is, it’s time to tune in and listen.

God Shakes to Strengthen Our Faith

Faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted. If we never go through anything, how will we ever learn to truly trust God? God allows shaking not to weaken us, but to build us up so that when the enemy comes with his nonsense, we won’t be moved.

Example: Peter Walking on Water

In Matthew 14:28-31, Peter actually walked on water, until he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm. The moment he let fear take over, he started sinking. The storm was never the problem, his lack of faith was.

Lesson: When the storms of life come, don’t focus on the waves... focus on the One who controls them. If God brought you to it, He’s more than able to bring you through it.

God Shakes to Prepare Us for Something Greater

Here’s the truth: Before God takes you higher, He has to make sure your foundation is solid. If you’re going to carry greater blessings, greater responsibilities, and greater influence, He has to shake off anything that can’t handle the weight of your calling.

Example: Joseph’s Journey to the Palace

Joseph went through betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and prison before he stepped into his destiny as ruler over Egypt (Genesis 37-50). Every hardship was a setup for his promotion. If God is shaking things in your life, it could be because He’s positioning you for something you can’t even imagine yet.

Lesson: Don’t resist the shaking—embrace it. God is making room for something greater.

God Shakes to Show Us Where Our True Security Lies

If your peace is tied to money, people, or circumstances, your world will crumble every time those things shake. But if your foundation is Christ, no matter how much the world shakes, you will remain standing.

Psalm 62:6 (NLT) says: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken."

Lesson: If the shaking is making you anxious, ask yourself: “Where am I placing my trust?” If it’s in anything other than God, it’s time to shift your foundation.

Final Thought on Hebrews 12:27: The Shaking Isn’t the End— It’s the Beginning

If your world is shaking, don’t fear, God is moving.

The shaking is not meant to break you but to build you. It’s in these moments of uncertainty and transition that God does His best work. So, instead of resisting the shaking, lean into it. Ask God,

“What are You trying to show me? What are You trying to remove? What are You preparing me for?” 

Because one thing’s for sure, when the dust settles, you’ll see that everything God allowed to remain was exactly what you needed.

Hold on, stand firm, and trust the process. God’s got you.