WBSS

with Heather Gent

When building a house, you pay attention to the foundation. If the foundation is good and strong, the house can easily withstand the sometimes extreme forces of nature. When heavy winds and torrential rain come against the house it won't falter. Although the house may become weathered or damaged over time, it will nevertheless remain standing.

If, however, the foundation of the house is sloppy or poorly built a different outcome can occur. When the same winds and rain beat on the house, a certain crumbling of both house and foundation is inevitable.

We find the same principles in our daily life. In fact we can find these truths in the book of Matthew in the Bible. Here are the words of Jesus:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

Unavoidable storms in life arise and the solidity of one's foundation is crucial to survival. The storms of life, much like regular storms, can appear suddenly and without warning, leaving a lasting effect. But the question that comes out of this passage is - how do you come out of the storm? There are two ways we can see in this passage.

Beaten down and given up

Is your foundation built on something strong enough to hold you up when the storms of life hit? Do you fall with a great crash and give up? This was brought up in last week's post. The reason we give up is because our foundation was built on people or things that fail. We build our image on others instead of God. We listen to what other people have to say about us instead of what God says about us. Then when the storm comes we fall with a great, and painful crash.

Weathered, But Still Standing

But if our foundation is on the rock - Jesus - we may have to go through the storms of life, but we will come of the storm weathered. Weathered, But Still Standing! How many of you have gone through some storms and you’re still standing? They may have walked out on you, but you’re still standing! They may harshly tell you what they think of you, but you’re still standing! They may have used you, but you’re still standing. You have gone through storms and you’re still standing!

Weather the storms of life with Jesus!

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Psalm 118:6 NIV + Romans 8:31, 37 NIV

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