Luke 6:46-49 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Storms happen and when they happen, it’s best to have built your life on the firm foundation of Jesus. Any other foundation will erode away from underneath you. There are too many who say Jesus is their Lord but they serve something else. Maybe something Jesus has mentioned in Luke 6, like money or popularity or happiness. But when the storm comes, those things erode right out from under them in the tumult.

A foundation of Jesus and His teachings, however, will never be shaken … No matter the size of the storm. And you know what also comes along with a firm foundation in Jesus? A really awesome neighborhood … neighbors who can come along side you in the hard times.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we come alongside one another in times of storm … when life has taken a bad turn.  When someone comes to you freaking out over trouble in their lives, don’t join them in the freak out; be a source of steadfast courage in a friend’s life. It’s easy to get swept up in panic, very easy, so don’t listen to rumors and don’t listen to gossip. If our enemy can distract us with rumors and get us running over a cliff like a pack of lemmings, he will. Don’t be carried away by the storms of life.

There will be storms. There will be floods. Expect them and you will not be surprised. You are not exempt from the consequences of sin that swirl around about you in this world … though you are called out.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

That you may prove to who? God knows His will is good. It’s those around you. Your reaction in storms speaks volumes to your faith. The world is watching to see if you react to storms according to what you say you believe. How can you stand strong through the storms of life? Well, just as Noah rode the tumult of the flood in the ark, so you can withstand the violent waves by abiding in Christ.