“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” – Matthew 7:24-27 (HCSB)
In light of the flooding that occurred in the Midwest last year, this familiar passage strikes a sobering chord. We saw the devastating images of houses being swept off their foundation or simply battered by the wind and water until they are ripped apart. While there are not enough words to comfort those affected by the devastation, perhaps we can extract a bit of good from the situation if we can learn a spiritual lesson.
Just as those homes washed down the river, so too our lives if our foundation is not Jesus Christ. Our storms come in many varieties: financial hardship, relationship issues, job dissatisfaction and personal health to name just a few. As the problems pound away at our lives, what will save us from being torn to shreds or being swept away in the currents of life, forever being tossed back and forth until we either drown or are caught up on the rocks, the hardest places in life?
If we have a foundation in Christ, we need not fear the storms. Having such a foundation allows us to keep all of our problems in perspective. The problems, no matter how large, become insignificant when seen through the eyes of a God who is bigger than all the problems combined. If we are walking close with Him, there is nothing in life that can throw us very far off course. The worst that could come from any situation would be death. Knowing that we will at last be with Jesus when we die, death is not such a bad deal at all! The worst thing that could happen to us would result in the greatest day of our lives!
What about the lesser evils in our lives? Pray about them – constantly! Have a problem in a relationship? Talk to Jesus about it; sometimes just talking through a situation helps us to realize how trivial it usually is. Look at the issue from a Biblical perspective. Focus on how Christ loves us; are we mirroring that love in our relationships?
When we re-imagine everything so we see it from a Biblical perspective, it helps in three ways. First, it gives us a new understanding of the problem. It allows us to see the issue from the outside rather than trying to wrap our arms around it while standing in the middle of the problem. Second, by stepping outside of the problem, we become aware of how small it is within the big picture. Problems come and go; they rarely stick around any longer than we allow. Finally, seeing our problems from a Biblical perspective helps us love and appreciate the greatness of our King all the more. He is ever patient and always loving; He is steady in any storm.
The next time storms assail you, pray about the issue immediately and keep praying until you are able to look at the problem from a Biblical perspective, to see it as Christ would. Life is short; don’t waste it on the trivial issues of this world. Spend your days in awe of the Creator and don’t allow earthly junk to cloud your view.
Father, thank You for Your steadiness in all of my storms. Thank You for Your love and patience. Help me model that love in my life. Don’t let me get discouraged by what this life may bring, but rather be encouraged by who You are. Thank You for making me Your child.