I was sitting in my house as the wind blew. It was no gentle breeze. Significant gusts slammed into the house. I heard thuds of loose items being blown about the neighborhood. I heard the roar of winds pummeling tree limbs. I felt the impact of gusts on the house as it seemed to brace itself.

I sat in the comfort of my house and was thankful for the firm foundation and strong windows. Yet I quickly recalled the recent deadly tornadoes across the country. Many people impacted by the storms took shelter in their own homes, hoping they’d be strong enough.

We do what we can to prepare for the storms of life, but they will impact us in unexpected ways at unexpected times.

Just because I have a firm foundation doesn’t mean I won’t be shaken. I can still be tossed about. I can be bruised and battered. I can be scared and surprised. The foundation might be secure, but my feet aren’t firmly attached to the foundation. The foundation is God’s. I stand on the foundation in my humanness. I am exposed and vulnerable to the storms of life.

When you get tossed about by the storms of life, what is the foundation to which you return?

As unpredictable as storms are, they’re dependable in the sense that they will occur. You might not know the time and place, but you will experience storms. You can rely on them. There are many things you can do to prepare for them, including building on a strong foundation and strengthening any weak areas around you. Know God’s character. Know God’s Word. Invite God to invade your life, revealing your weaknesses in order for him to strengthen them.

When the storm comes, you might still be caught off guard. You might still be battered, bruised, and scared. You might be disoriented as you’re blown away from your foundation. But when your foundation is solid, you will be able to find your way back and plant your feet firmly on it, claiming it as your home.

The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and the Lord set the world upon them. (1 Samuel 2:8)

As I sat in my house, thankful for its strength and protection, I thought of how quickly my life could change. I also thought of how God was providing a strong house for me in that moment in order for me to respond. He never brings anything to mind without wanting me to respond. I could simply thank him in appreciation of provision, but he challenged me further. Because I was sitting in a strong physical home, he instructed me to strengthen my spiritual home. He guided me to firm up the foundation in which I live. He prompted me to deepen my relationship with him. So, I did, and I will continue to do so. Because I want to be strong enough – physically and spiritually – to weather the storms brooding on the horizon.

How will you prepare?