The Tumult of Life’s Storms
Life is often like a storm. Sometimes the storm is violent and severe, raging all around us with swirling winds, rain, and hail. Other times it subsides and seems only to loom in the distance. Either way, the only way to ride out the storm and make it through is to have something sturdy, steady, solid, and immovable to hold onto. We need a constant. We need something (or Someone) that keeps us grounded and on course amid the chaos. In life, the only true constants are the Lord and the truths of His Word. They never change and provide the steady cord to which we can cling. The storm may rage, the winds may buffet, and the rain may beat down, but God and His Word will never move, change, or fade away (Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:22–25).
Surviving Life’s Storms
To endure life’s storms, we need two things. First, we must know what God is like and understand the truths of His Word. Second, we need daily reminders of these truths that act like anchors we can hold onto so we do not forget them when life begins to press in on us. The first task is accomplished by reading and studying Scripture daily, listening to faithful biblical teaching and preaching, and seeking godly counsel. On a more focused level, however, I want to present several key truths that I believe will help ground us biblically and strengthen our faithfulness in our walk with the Lord. These are not the only truths that matter, but they are a strong place to begin and a solid foundation on which to build.
I came across a helpful blog post that summarizes these truths, which I have adapted and expanded for our use (see “Ten Big, Daily Reminders” by Matt Reagan). Over the next few months, we will examine these ten truths in more detail and explore how they keep us grounded and how they profoundly shape our daily lives. For now, I simply encourage you to read through them and begin to reflect on them. Take them to heart, commit them to memory, and apply them to your daily walk. As we unpack them together in the months ahead, you will begin to see just how vital and transformative they truly are—day by day, moment by moment. You will see how Christian theology becomes Christian practice, how biblical truth becomes everyday pursuit, and how belief is lived out in action.
10 Big Truths That We Should All Hold On To
God exists.
God loves you.
Jesus died for you, and if you know Him, God has promised to do good to and for you.
God sees you as perfect, holy, and righteous.
Yet, this righteousness is not your own, but Christ’s. You deserve hell, but in God’s grace, you get heaven.
You are mortal, and you are accountable to God.
You will live forever in glory.
However, for now you are a pilgrim and sojourner on the earth.
The earth and everything in it is temporary and tainted, so nothing “down here” is worthy of your ultimate trust and hope.
You have no right to be discontent, sour, or unhappy.
Let me offer a few closing clarifications. First, these truths build on one another toward a final crescendo. Each one builds on what comes before it. If truths #1 through #9 are believed and applied, then #10 becomes self-evident (though not always automatic in our experience).
Second, these truths assume a relationship with the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not confronted your sin, repented, and trusted in Jesus Christ who died, was buried, and rose again for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life, then many of these truths are not yet true of you. There is a necessary starting point: God exists, you are accountable to Him, you have sinned, and God, who is holy and just, must judge sin. Yet, because God is rich in grace and mercy, He sent Jesus to die and rise again so that you might be forgiven, cleansed, and made holy through His sacrifice. Faith in Jesus and in His finished work is all that is required to be made right with God. You can find out more about this good news and how to place faith in Christ HERE.
My hope is that those who have not trusted in Christ will do so, and that those who have will find these truths to be an immovable constant—sustaining them day by day as they live in light of the gospel, to the glory of God.
