How faith during disaster builds hope and confidence amidst difficult times
When disaster struck—an earthquake in Pakistan and a flood in Hawaii—Sonia Shabbir and Chakravarthi Ambati said faith shaped how they responded to fear, giving them resilience and reassurance in difficult times. Ambati, a senior in Informational Technology from India, expressed being surrounded by a community with shared values and beliefs creates a united commitment to serve and respond to others’ needs. “Faith is what makes you compassionate, and faith is what makes you dignified,” said Sonia Shabbir, the 2005 Khasmir earthquake victim from Pakistan.
Unshaken hope
Living in Abbottabad, north of the epicenter, Shabbir said she was in her Grade 10 classroom on the third floor around 8:55a.m. as an exam was about to begin when the earthquake struck. The shaking started suddenly; first like wind, then violently, as the building moved side to side, she described. “I saw the ceiling cracking and cement falling,” she said, recalling how students began running and crying as panic spread. Her thoughts immediately turned to her family as her siblings were in the same school, she said.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake measured 7.6 in magnitude and is considered one of the deadliest in South Asia, affecting more than six million people across Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
In the weeks that followed, Shabbir said the fear did not end, even within her family’s strong religious environment. “I saw that my parents and siblings were very calm during aftershocks. They would tell me not to panic, but I couldn’t absorb that at the time,” she said. She said constant aftershocks made it difficult to return to normal life, especially at night. “I couldn’t sleep for months,” she said, explaining she would stay awake watching the roof, afraid another tremor would strike.
If I use my past to predict my future, then I would stop initiating anything.
The turning point came through a conversation with a classmate during an aftershock drill at school, Shabbir said. She said her friend explained that in Islam, those who die in natural disasters as believers are considered martyrs, and those who are injured are forgiven of their sins.
“That idea really hit me. I already knew it, but the way she explained it made a difference,” Shabbir said. Her friend reminded her that “Whatever happens is from God, and the end is always in your favor.”
Shabbir said that the conversation shifted how she responded to fear. She said she was finally able to sleep that same night after months of restlessness, describing it as the first moment she felt calm since the earthquake.
Reflecting on that experience, Shabbir emphasized faith plays a central role in helping people navigate uncontrollable situations. She said religion provides a way to remain grounded when circumstances feel overwhelming.
Shabbir claimed that understanding shapes how she approaches challenges and reflects what she sees as living with dignity. With difficult experiences having been the most formative in her life, she said hardship can be discouraging, but faith gives her hope and motivation to keep moving forward. “If I use my past to predict my future, then I would stop initiating anything.
But this is where faith comes in. My connection with God gives me positive motivation. It reminds me to keep going,” she said.“ We need hope,” Shabbir said. “And for me, that hope comes from God.”
Firm confidence
Chakravarthi Ambati said the early morning of March 20, 2026, shifted from a regular night of finishing homework to a night of uncertainty when floodwaters entered his home during the Kona Low storm in Laie. He said that although there had been a warning, the flooding was unexpected because a similar alert the week before had not resulted in any damage.
Though Ambati initially had mixed feelings when the water entered, he said he felt confident managing the situation. “Instead of being panicked and fearful of the things I see, it reminds me of where I am: I’m at the campus and I live with my people from the same ward [local church congregation],” he said. He added,“Whatever happens, I’ll still be safe.”
The following morning brought a new challenge as Ambati said he was hesitant when residents were asked to evacuate, thinking conditions would improve within a couple of days. However, he said he immediately followed instructions from campus and church leaders, guided by his faith to rely on leadership and the need to act collectively in a moment of uncertainty.
“Because when the leaders say it’s the right thing to do, they want us to be safe,” he said. “If you stay there, though the situation gets better, it might affect your health.”
Ambati said he witnessed compassion and dignity through the actions of others during the evacuation. “The leaders, staff and community came and stayed with us. They helped move belongings, often without being asked,” he said.
Looking back, Ambati said the flooding experience reshaped how he understands the relationship between faith and resilience. He said his faith in Jesus Christ gives him confidence that no matter how difficult the situation becomes, he and his family will be supported. “After this experience, I know I can handle it,” he said. He added, “Because of my faith, I can move on from those hard times.”