When the East Wing of the White House was torn down without the approval or foreknowledge of the Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that would have reviewed the proposed project plans, were they submitted, it was a national and personal trauma. Many were shocked that the President would destroy the East Wing without going through proper channels. The President quickly fired the Commission of Fine Arts, assuring they could not interfere with his plans. There was collective silence from many Senators and Representatives who sworn an oath to protect the Constitution, the people and stand for justice. There seems to be no one who would stand up for the people against an assault on The People’s House.
I, like many others in the nation, was shaken. It wasn’t just a loss of brick — it was the loss of something symbolic, something that represented stability and heritage. But as shocking as the event was, it served as a reminder that even in the strongest places, the unexpected can still happen. And in those moments, we are invited to turn our eyes back to One who never changes.
Life often surprises us in ways we could never predict. We plan carefully, we build with care, and we do our best to keep everything secure. Yet sometimes, God allows things to be shaken — not to destroy us, but to remind us that our foundation must be in Him, not in what we build. Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When what we’ve trusted in crumbles, His strength becomes clearer than ever.
The destruction of the East Wing was a terrible loss made worse by weak leaders who refuse to stand up and speak truth out of fear of reprisal from the White House. They placed a man above the law, a decision that will, no doubt, come back to haunt them. This is a moment of reflection. We must speak truth in love, even when we are afraid, even when it is dangerous.
We don’t always understand why certain things happen. Sometimes life changes without warning — jobs are lost, relationships end, health fails, or dreams fall apart. In those moments, we’re tempted to ask, “Why, God?” But instead of looking for answers, God calls us to look for Him. He promises in Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
When the walls of our security fall, God is still faithful. He’s still good. He’s still in control. The East Wing may have fallen, but the Lord remains our strong tower — unshaken, unmovable, eternal. And as the country goes through these dark days, we must rebuild faith, unity, and hope.
If you’re walking through your own “East Wing moment” — a season where something precious has been lost or broken — remember this: God has not abandoned you. He is working, even now. What feels like the end may be the beginning of something new, something deeper, something holy.