Strength in the Storms of Life
“[The] wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
Does your life ever feel like you are in the middle of a storm? Sometimes it might build slowly and you see it coming, other times it hits you ferociously without any warning! Heartache, sickness, disappointment, unfulfilled expectations, hurt, disillusionment, suffering, relationship issues, work difficulties, uncertainty over the future. Sometimes the storm seems to rage around us so fiercely that we cannot see the path ahead.
Christian, there is good news! As a child of God your life is founded on THE rock – the Lord Jesus Christ. So no matter the storm raging around you, the foundation is secure and He WILL hold you fast. The question really is, how do we trust the reality of this solid foundation when it feels like the storm is going to destroy us? I’m sure there are many applications from this verse, but here are three that I’ve discovered in the storms of my own life.
1. Focus on the Foundation, not the storm.
If you are a Christian, your life IS founded on the rock, there is no question about it. This rock is Jesus Christ, and He will be your comfort and protection in the storm. Yes, the storm is big, and uncertain, and overwhelming when you focus on it, but as you look into the face of Jesus you will find Him “bigger” and mightier than the storms that you are facing. David in the Psalms, who continually faces the storms of life, responds by crying out to God, and he finds Him faithful to deliver him every time. When the storms of life are raging, be like David, run to God, cry out to Him, and search His Word for truths of who He is.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1).
2. Build on your Foundation with Gospel truths
Your life is founded on Christ, and yet we are commanded to develop and mature our faith and build upon this sure foundation. Gospel truths reinforce our building as we face the storms of life. The light of the gospel shines forth in the darkness of every storm, bringing comfort and truth as we look deeper into it. So take time to consider Christ, His love, His sacrifice, His care, His justice, His redemption. Mediate on the gospel and allow the glory of this truth to bring light to your darkest storm.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
3. Trust the Builders Words, not your feelings
The storms of life bring with them the opportunity for our emotions to run wild! Feelings can lead us quickly away from trusting the Rock our lives are built upon, even convincing us that we might not be secure in our life with Christ. Oh what a time to dive into the Word of God and allow the truth of it to inform our emotions, and not let them take control! Fear, anger, hurt, guilt, pain, worry, hate, frustration, anxiety, and so many more. We need to choose to trust God’s Word and allow it to inform, shape, and rule our emotions. And when emotions and feelings are heightened in the midst of a storm, how important to make sure we are bringing them under the authority of God and His Word, and thereby honoring Him with our responses. After all, God created us with emotions and feelings, and they can (and should) be used for His glory.
“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92).
The storms will come; that is never in question. If you are a Christian, then your life IS founded on the solid Rock. Don’t let your emotions convince you otherwise. Choose to look to the Rock of your salvation in the storms of life, lean into gospel truths, and praise God in the midst of it all. He is faithful.
“I have set the Lord always before me; because the Lord is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).
By Jessica Kriss.