She lost her brother in an accident, her father to suicide, her teenage daughter to an undetected genetic disease. All within a few years. And yet she is radiant – overflowing with life and profoundly sincere in her love for Jesus.
He lost his job and he’s devastated. His faith is gone. He imagines ending his life.
Question: why do some emerge from tragedies standing strong while others fall, overwhelmed?
Jesus answers this question directly and simply. (My modern mind protests, “It must be more complicated than that!”)
"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." - Jesus, (Matthew 7:24)
"In referring to rain, floods and winds Jesus is speaking about all those human circumstances and misfortunes, such as false accusations, plots, bereavements, deaths, loss of family members, insults from others, and all the horrid things in life about which one could speak. Jesus says that a soul that pursues the way of excellence does not give in to any of these potential disasters." - John Chrystostom, 4th Century
Who stands?
The one who puts Jesus’ teachings into practice.
Against what does she stand?
The storm.
She survives the storm.
