Rain Came, Wind Blew

"Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
— Luke 6:47–49, ESV

My Story of Sand and Rock

Throughout my life, I’ve lived this parable in real time. Again and again, different seasons exposed what I was building on.

• When I moved across the country, far from family, I spiraled into depression and unhealthy choices.

• When infertility stretched on for years, I numbed my pain with drinking and partying. I found ways to check out so I wouldn't have to face the pain.

• When our church collapsed and made national news, I watched people walk away from God — and then I burned out and washed out too.

• When I hit the darkest pit, questioning my very existence, I turned to achievement and success to prop me up. But when I reached the top, I realized the view couldn't fill what was missing.

In all of these things I turned my back on God and foolishly built my life on sinking sand. It never worked. Friend, I know what it is to build on sand and watch it all collapse in front of everyone.

Can You Relate?

Maybe your “sand” looks different:

• Building your identity on career success or grades.

• Expecting your spouse, kids, or friends to carry the weight of your worth.

• Numbing pain with food, shopping, screens, or substances.

• Looking to money or comfort to feel secure.

The sand shifts. It can’t hold. And when the storm comes, the fall is great. And often very painful. 

God desires something better for us.

Digging Deep: Word Study

Let’s slow down and take a deeper look at some of the words used in Luke 6:47–49. This is a process we teach here at Abidible called "word study."

• Build (oikodomeō) means not just to construct, but to establish firmly. This is intentional work.

• Foundation (themelios) points to what is laid down first, the bedrock under everything else.

• Rock (petra) is not gravel or a stone you can move, but solid, immovable bedrock.

Word study gives us a deeper understanding about what is being said. We are able to see that Jesus is telling us: your foundation matters more than your façade.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” If we have houses built on the Rock, the very floods that used to destroy us actually drive us deeper into Him. Not only do we grow more secure and firm, but we actually become indestructible because of His power at work in us.

I don't know about you, but that really appeals to me. Especially because I know that the storms of life are inevitable. They're not going to stop throwing punches any time soon.

How Do I Build on the Rock?

Building our house upon the Rock is appealing. But the big question is, "How do I do that?" Well...here’s the twist: Jesus gives us a big, fat hint. He introduces this parable of the builder who builds on the rock with a piercing question one verse prior in verse 46:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Building on the Rock isn’t just about hearing Jesus’ words — it’s hearing and doing. It’s abiding. It’s obedience born out of love. As Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

To build on the rock means abiding in God. And one of the most significant ways we can do that is through His Word. It is there where knowing Him transforms into loving Him — and loving Him overflows into obeying Him.

But My House Was Build on You

As I shared, I've seen my "house" come crashing down again and again. But I also know the grace of God. He has taught me to dig deep and build differently. In this current season of pain, I've learned what it is to have my house built on the rock. My stage IV endometriosis had been affecting every area of my life. The pain was constant and it drained me of energy, motivation, and hope. I began to accept the fact that I'd always just feel this way.

As time passed, I continued to abide in Christ through His Word. And my pain and symptoms only got worse. I stopped sleeping well. I'd have stabbing pain in my stomach that would last from 1-3 days a few times a month. My metabolism tanked and my weight exploded. My gut was constantly bloated--as if I was 20+ weeks pregnant. I grew more and more tired and less and less motivated and focused. Depression knocked on my door.

But I kept abiding. 

Three days before my 5+ hour surgery to remove all of my disease, I crossed the "finish" line. I finished 13 straight months of homschooling my son (we went straight into the next year to enable me to take the month off post-surgery). I recorded my 64th podcast episode before my break, publishing an episode a week for well over a year. And I led my final session at church on Deuteronomy 6. Leading up to my surgery, my pastor's wife had encouraged me to listen to "Firm Foundation." After wrapping up that final session at church, I was driving home and turned on the radio.

"Firm Foundation" began to play. It's a beautiful song. But the part that stood out to me was this...

"Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on You
I'm safe with You
I'm gonna make it through"
— Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes

And what happened in that moment shocked me. I thanked God for the pain and the trials and the suffering because walking through the fire this time revealed that my heart is no longer fickle. It simply cannot be. I've learned to much about Him to walk away. Like Peter said to Christ, "Where else would I go? You hold the words of life." 

I choose Jesus. 

And now my foundation is sure, come what may.

If I knew then what I know now, I never would have been able to walk away from Him. That's why I'm so passionate about helping others build their foundation on the Rock too.

Where to Start

This is why at Abidible, everything we do points back to helping you study God’s Word for yourself. If you don’t know how to start, I’d love to invite you to:

• Try our free demo study — a simple way to experience what in-depth Bible study looks like.

• Enroll in our 20-lesson “How to Study the Bible” video course — which is nearly 40% off right now. This course lays the foundation for a lifetime of knowing and loving God through His Word.

And as a visual reminder, we just released our brand-new “Rain Came, Wind Blew” Comfort Colors t-shirt — with a design that declares the truth of Luke 6:47–49. Wear it as your own “stone of remembrance” that your life is built on the Rock.

Storms will come. Winds will howl. Rain will pound. But if your life is built on Christ, you are safe. You will make it through.

Let’s not just call Him Lord. Let’s do what He says. Let’s build our lives on the Rock.

Let's abide,
Kate