There was an earthquake in our country last week. Some people have described the U.S. Supreme Court opinion permitting same-sex marriage in all 50 states as a seismic shift in our culture.

I want to share some thoughts with readers who, like me, believe marriage should be between a man and a woman based on the Biblical definition of marriage.

“The decision of the SCOTUS regarding same-sex marriage has the potential to leave many Christians anxious and troubled. While those of us who hold to traditional marriage have a right to be concerned, we have no need to despair,” author and minister Max Lucado wrote in his blog.

“What we need is a good dose of this Scripture: ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’” (Philippians 4:6,7)

He went on to say, “It may seem that the world is changing fast, but is it really? The headlines may announce a decision of the Supreme Court, but the actions of our Supreme God are unaltered.” I’ve heard several Christian friends say this ruling did not take God by surprise.

Lucado reminded us that God is still the Creator. (Romans 1:25) He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) “God is still God and His word is still sure. His sovereign grace never changes. Everything else may change. But He doesn’t.”

I thought of Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:3-5, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”

John Stonestreet stated in a radio commentary, “Five justices of the Supreme Court cannot redefine marriage itself, not any more than Roe v. Wade could redefine the sanctity of human life. And just as Roe marked a new phase in the struggle for the sanctity of life and the dignity of new persons, Friday’s decision marks a new phase in the fight for the God-ordained gift of family.”

Ed Stetzer, vice president of Lifeway Resources, asked the question, “What now for Christians?” in the light of the same-sex marriage ruling. He listed three things we can do. First, pray for guidance. “Before you engage in conversations about marriage on social media, in your church, or in your communities, take a portion of time and devote it to prayer. Secondly, love your neighbors. He emphasized speaking the truth in love. Show and share the love of Jesus. “The good news that God sent his Son to live a perfect life, die the death we deserved to die and rise again….is true regardless of courts, laws, or culture.”

David Platt in his book, Counter Culture, says, “Marriage is a term that transcends culture, representing timeless truth about who God is and how God loves. The call and challenge for us is to live according to such truth in the time and culture in which He has placed us.”

-Jan White is an award-winning columnist. She can be reached at jwhite@andycable.com.