Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a 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 ESV).

By Scott Schuler

I ventured outside my home to assess the damage. Giant oak trees uprooted. Rooftops peeled back and debris covered the ground. It looked like a war zone.

Three hurricanes swept through Orlando in less than one month during 2004. The eye of each storm hovered over the city, creating an eerie but calming feeling.

Hurricanes form over water and can inflict catastrophic damage once they move inland. Even with modern meteorological technology to track the projected paths, nothing can prevent the storm.

But the eye, or center, of a hurricane is a serene place.

The rapidly moving winds and debris of the hurricane rip structures from their foundation, yet the air becomes strangely calm in the eye.

The word storm describes tumultuous life experiences too, whether spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical.

Like destructive hurricanes, these events strike with sharp, unexpected tragedy. Death, trauma, accidents, personal attacks, and job loss leave a trail of destruction.

Our journey with Jesus through life’s storms is like living in the calm center.

Traumatic circumstances become strangely serene because our key focus becomes Jesus, not the storm. Consider the image Jesus used in Matthew 7:24–25:

“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.”

Living presently in relationship with Jesus is a spiritual discipline.

The core of our belief and trust in Jesus strengthens us so we can withstand the impact of inevitable storms.

No matter how determined we are to live according to God’s Word, when we depend on our mental and physical strength to survive, our body (flesh) and soul (mind, will, and emotions) become a target for Satan to strike repeatedly.

The storm’s destruction weakens us. Satan knows the weaknesses which will lure us into old coping behaviors we’ve tried for mental and emotional support in the past. Jesus spoke about these ineffective barriers.

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:26–27).

Instead of seeing the storms as a threat to draw us away from Jesus and back into destructive patterns, consider them opportunities to become centered in his presence.

In these storms, our trust in Jesus grows as we witness his ability to navigate us through them. Even in the most turbulent times, we can experience peace, joy, and hope:

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

What life storm is robbing your peace? Step out of the storm and into the calm center of your relationship with Jesus by putting your focus on Him. Sit in the presence of Jesus and tell Him your struggles.

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