How to Weather the Storms of Life
“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)
Living on the Gulf Coast means storm-proofing your home. It’s not a matter of if a storm will come but when and am I prepared? Storms in life are inevitable. That’s why Jesus concluded His famous Sermon on the Mount with this practical illustration contrasting two lives, one who builds his life on the rock and the other who builds on the sand. Both heard what Jesus said, and both experienced the same storm. The difference between them wasn’t ignorance but one choosing to ignore what Jesus said. On the surface, their homes may have even looked similar, but the storms of life reveal the structural differences. How well are you stormproofing your relationships? Catastrophic losses are caused by the storms of life that are collapsing so many relationships today. Three primary storms are hitting homes today:
The acid rains of our culture create a “me” first attitude fostering selfish desires, and when “my” desires aren’t met or “I’m” not happy, then I bail on the relationship.
The winds of change blow into every relationship, and we resist making the adjustments needed, desiring what we used to have.
The storm surge of crises is the most dangerous, threatening the very survival of our relationships with hurt, disappointments, and brokenness.
When the storms of life hit us, we often wonder, ‘What is God doing? Why is He letting this happen in our lives?’ You may be going through a storm right now that is devastating and painful. You’re disillusioned and confused with God and those you thought once loved you. Nothing is making any sense, and you wish it would just pass like waking up from a bad dream.
But the truth is that God wants to use the storms in our lives to strengthen, not weaken, our relationship with Him and others. How?
1. Storms can grow my character. They humble me and teach me to lean on God. Storms reveal our helplessness and our dependence on God. When David was on the run from King Saul, he was experiencing a storm like never before that threatened his very life and destiny. A King who was once his friend and father-in-law was seeking to kill him. Hiding in a cave, David wrote Psalm 57:1 (NIV), “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed.”
2. Storms can clarify my priorities. If you only had moments to flee your home in a storm, what would you grab first? I doubt it would be the new flat-screen TV or sofa. Once you knew everyone was out safely it most likely would be your family pictures that are irreplaceable as they represent those relationships in your life that are the most important. Everything else can be replaced.
3. Storms can strengthen my commitments. Our faith is proven in the storms of life. It’s then when we put into practice all that we say we believe and have heard from Jesus.
If you’re going through a storm, take heart. God has not abandoned you. He has a purpose in the pain and will see you through the storm. Meditate on this promise from Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT): “The one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”
Not only is God with you in the storms of life, but He has given you and me a community of faith through a local church family where we support and pray for one another. The church is the body of Christ in our world today. You are not alone. Our identification with Christ and Christ followers is represented in believers’ baptism. Through baptism, we identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, as well as with the body of Christ, the church. If you would like to take that step you can register now for our Winter Baptism this weekend on all our Woodlands Church campuses following every weekend service. You’ll discover the blessing of belonging when the storms of life rock your world.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.
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