Withstanding Life's Winds: Building Resilience Through Faith

 

Summary

In our journey to building a better life, we are reminded that life is not devoid of challenges. The winds of life—symbolizing change, conflict, temptation, and trouble—are uncontrollable forces that can disrupt our path. However, God calls us not to be swept away by these winds but to withstand them, building a life on a solid foundation. This foundation is not about living a problem-free life but about having the strength and skills to handle life's challenges with resilience and faith.

The Bible uses wind as a metaphor for various uncontrollable circumstances. These winds can knock us off balance, erode our strength, and force us off course. Yet, God provides us with principles to withstand these winds. The first principle is to stay connected to our spiritual family. God never intended for us to face life's storms alone. Our spiritual family provides support, encouragement, and strength, helping us to remain grounded and resilient.

The second principle is to put into practice everything we learn from God's Word. It's not enough to hear the Word; we must live it out. By doing so, we build our lives on a solid rock, enabling us to withstand the storms that come our way. The third principle is to turn our focus to God's greatness. Worship is the secret to withstanding life's uncontrollable forces. By focusing on God's power and majesty, we find peace and strength, knowing that while the storm may be out of our control, it is never out of His.

Finally, we must remind ourselves of how much Jesus cares for us. In moments of fear and desperation, Jesus is not only aware of our struggles but also comes to us, offering His presence and peace. He walks on the very problems that threaten to overwhelm us, demonstrating His power and love. By inviting Jesus into our lives, we find that our circumstances, no matter how daunting, cannot sink us.

Key Takeaways:

- Stay Connected to Your Spiritual Family: God designed us to face life's challenges together, not alone. Our spiritual family provides the support and encouragement we need to withstand life's storms. By staying connected, we build a foundation that helps us remain strong and resilient. [11:07]

- Put God's Word into Practice: Hearing God's Word is not enough; we must live it out. By practicing what we learn, we build our lives on a solid foundation, enabling us to withstand the winds of life. This active faith transforms knowledge into strength. [18:24]

- Focus on God's Greatness: Worship is the key to withstanding life's uncontrollable forces. By focusing on God's power and majesty, we find peace and strength, knowing that while the storm may be out of our control, it is never out of His. [26:16]

- Remember Jesus Cares: In moments of fear and desperation, Jesus is not only aware of our struggles but also comes to us, offering His presence and peace. He walks on the very problems that threaten to overwhelm us, demonstrating His power and love. [33:58]

- Invite Jesus into Your Life: By inviting Jesus into our lives, we find that our circumstances, no matter how daunting, cannot sink us. With Jesus in our boat, we can reach our destination, overcoming the uncontrollable winds that seek to derail us. [51:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Withstanding the Winds of Life
- [01:13] - The Power of Wind
- [02:19] - Elijah's Wind Show
- [03:03] - The Impact of Winds
- [04:35] - A Strong Foundation
- [05:17] - Identifying Life's Winds
- [06:31] - Uncontrollable Winds
- [07:43] - Withstanding the Winds
- [10:10] - Four Keys to Withstanding
- [11:07] - Stay Connected to Spiritual Family
- [18:24] - Practice What You Learn
- [26:16] - Focus on God's Greatness
- [33:58] - Remember Jesus Cares
- [51:18] - Invite Jesus into Your Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 10:25 - "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever."
2. Ephesians 6:13 - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
3. Matthew 7:24-25 - "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."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 10:25, what is the outcome for the wicked and the righteous when a storm comes?
2. In Ephesians 6:13, what does Paul instruct believers to do in preparation for the day of evil?
3. How does Jesus describe the person who hears and practices His words in Matthew 7:24-25?
4. What are some examples of the "winds" mentioned in the sermon that can disrupt our lives? [06:18]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a foundation that keeps one standing firm, as mentioned in Proverbs 10:25? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about building a solid foundation? [04:54]
2. How can putting on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13, help believers withstand the uncontrollable winds of life?
3. In Matthew 7:24-25, why is it important to not only hear Jesus' words but also put them into practice? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on active faith? [18:24]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of focusing on God's greatness during life's uncontrollable forces? [26:16]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual family. How can you strengthen your connection with them to better withstand life's challenges? [11:07]
2. Identify a specific teaching from God's Word that you have heard but not yet put into practice. What steps can you take this week to begin living it out? [18:24]
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by life's uncontrollable forces. How can you shift your focus to God's greatness in similar situations in the future? [26:16]
4. Recall a time when you felt Jesus' presence during a difficult moment. How did that experience impact your faith, and how can you remind yourself of His care in future challenges? [33:58]
5. Consider a current problem that feels insurmountable. How can you invite Jesus into this situation, trusting that with Him, your circumstances cannot sink you? [51:18]
6. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself daily of Jesus' care and presence in your life, especially during times of fear and desperation? [33:58]
7. How can you use worship as a tool to set your sails in the right direction when faced with life's uncontrollable winds? [32:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Strength in Spiritual Community
In the journey of life, challenges are inevitable, and facing them alone can be overwhelming. God designed us to be part of a spiritual family, a community that provides support, encouragement, and strength. This community helps us remain grounded and resilient, offering a foundation that withstands life's storms. By staying connected to our spiritual family, we are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles. Together, we can share burdens, celebrate victories, and grow in faith. This connection is vital for building a life that can withstand the uncontrollable winds of change, conflict, and temptation. [11:07]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your spiritual community can you reach out to today for support or encouragement? How can you strengthen your connection with them?


Day 2: Living the Word
Hearing God's Word is essential, but it is not enough to merely listen; we must also put it into practice. By living out the teachings of the Bible, we build our lives on a solid foundation that can withstand the winds of life. This active faith transforms knowledge into strength, enabling us to face challenges with resilience and confidence. When we apply God's principles to our daily lives, we are better equipped to handle the trials and temptations that come our way. Living the Word is about integrating God's teachings into every aspect of our lives, allowing His wisdom to guide our actions and decisions. [18:24]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific teaching from the Bible that you can actively apply to your life today? How will you ensure that you live it out consistently?


Day 3: Worship as a Source of Strength
In the face of life's uncontrollable forces, worship becomes a powerful tool for finding peace and strength. By focusing on God's greatness, power, and majesty, we shift our perspective from the chaos around us to the stability of His presence. Worship allows us to acknowledge that while the storms of life may be beyond our control, they are never beyond God's. This act of turning our focus to Him provides a sense of peace and assurance, reminding us that we are held by a loving and powerful God. Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a daily practice that fortifies our spirit and renews our strength. [26:16]

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to help you focus on God's greatness? What specific aspect of God's character will you meditate on today?


Day 4: Assurance of Jesus' Care
In moments of fear and desperation, it is comforting to know that Jesus is aware of our struggles and cares deeply for us. He offers His presence and peace, walking on the very problems that threaten to overwhelm us. This demonstration of His power and love reassures us that we are not alone in our battles. By inviting Jesus into our lives, we find that our circumstances, no matter how daunting, cannot sink us. His presence brings peace and strength, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence and hope. [33:58]

"Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite Jesus' presence and peace? How can you remind yourself of His care and love for you today?


Day 5: Inviting Jesus into Our Lives
Inviting Jesus into our lives is a transformative decision that impacts every aspect of our existence. With Jesus in our boat, we can navigate the uncontrollable winds that seek to derail us. His presence provides guidance, strength, and peace, enabling us to reach our destination despite the challenges we face. By surrendering our lives to Him, we acknowledge that we cannot do it alone and that we need His help. This invitation is not a one-time event but a daily choice to walk with Him, trusting in His power and love to see us through. [51:18]

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

Stay connected to my spiritual family. I need to stay connected to my spiritual family. God never meant for you to face destructive winds, whether it's a death or a disease or a detour or a delay or a difficulty. God never meant for you to withstand the destructive winds of life by yourself, on your own. [10:38]

God has given his church gifted apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip God's people for their work of service. What's your work of service? That's your ministry. God put you on this earth not to live for yourself but for you to make a difference with your life. [11:45]

Put into practice everything I learned. That's the second thing God tells us to do in order to withstand the tough winds of life. I need to not just hear the word of God. You've been hearing it, you've been listening to it online, you've been coming back to services since we reopened public services. [18:04]

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on a solid rock. The rains came down, and the waters rose, and the winds blew hard and beat against that house, yet it did not fall. [18:56]

Turn my focus to how great God is. When I'm going through a situation I have no control over, I need to remember that it may be out of my control, but it's not out of God's control. Turning my focus to God and his greatness—there's a word for that. It's called worship. [25:55]

Worship is the secret of withstanding the uncontrollable things in life. When I go, I cannot control this, I can't do anything about it, I need to flip my focus and think about the greatness of God and his power and how it may be out of my control, but it's not out of his. [26:33]

When battered by a wind, don't tell God how great my storm is; tell the storm how great my God is. When I'm battered by a wind, that means something totally out of my control. I just can't do anything about it. My spouse is having an affair, I can't do anything about it. [27:05]

Remind myself how much Jesus cares. When I am going through a period that scares me to death, when I'm going through a period I don't like, when I'm going through a period I don't want, when I'm going through a period that I can't control, I don't just focus on how great God is. [33:32]

Jesus saw his disciples were in trouble. The first reason you need to be afraid is that Jesus notices our struggle. Jesus notices our struggle. He pays attention to our struggles. Did you know that everything you're going through right now, there's nothing that Jesus hasn't noticed? [39:24]

Jesus comes to me at my moment of desperation. Jesus comes to me at my moment of desperation. This story is actually chosen in the book of Matthew, in the book of Mark, and in another gospel too. It's in three different gospels. So Mark chapter 6 says this. [42:00]

He comes to you in your moment of desperation, and he goes out to where they are and he intervenes. Friends, that's the gospel—a God who intervenes, a God who becomes incarnate, a God who comes to earth, a God who becomes one of us, who takes on all our problems. [43:44]

You may feel abandoned right now, but you're not. You are not. God is with you. God is with you, and you need to open your eyes and see Jesus walking on the water, coming to you in your moment of desperation between 3 and 6 a.m. in the fourth hour in the darkest part of the night. [44:57]

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Transcript
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