Scripture (NRSV): Matthew 7:25
“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house…”
Reflection:
Storms don’t cause weakness; they reveal it. When pressure mounts—politically, relationally, or spiritually—what’s been growing within us comes to light. Do we fall into fear? Do we lash out? Do we pull away? Or do we seek mercy and stability?
The storms of our time are not abstract. They’re the Thanksgiving table where no one can discuss politics anymore. They’re the comment section that quickly turns cruel. They’re how fear has taught some Christians to see enemies everywhere — and to call that vigilance “faithfulness.”
When pressure mounts, what surfaces? Do we default to the quick formation of the algorithm — instant reaction, moral certainty, outrage that masquerades as courage? Or have we been practicing something deeper? Curiosity before condemnation. Truth-telling without contempt. The hard work of loving people whose politics terrify us.
A faith formed by fear cannot consistently love enemies. A faith built on cultural dominance cannot practice the humility Jesus taught. When the winds blow, those foundations crumble.
But faith that is practiced — daily, quietly, persistently — can endure. Resilience is not denial. It is not pretending everything is fine. It is the ability to stay grounded when chaos seeks to pull us apart. It is rootedness in a love that is deeper than any circumstance.
When the winds rise, we learn what we have been building. Lent encourages us to honestly examine our foundations — not with shame, but with courage. Where cracks show, grace meets us. Where weakness is exposed, breath returns.
Application:
Name one current storm. Pray not for its removal first, but for deeper roots within it.
Writing Prompt:
What has pressure uncovered about what you genuinely trust?
Prayer:
God who steadies us,
when winds reveal my weakness,
meet me there — not with condemnation,
but with grace strong enough to rebuild. Amen.