Strengthening the Foundations: Building a Life That Outlasts the Storms | Jacob Simham
As we navigate the heart of January, there is a common thread that binds us together across the Northern Hemisphere. Whether you are navigating the icy interstates of the US, the slushy motorways of the UK, the deep snow of the Canadian prairies, or the biting winds across the European plains, we are in the season of the storm.
In this part of the world, January is more than just a page on the calendar; it’s a reality of endurance. We salt our pavements, check the central heating, and hope the roof tiles hold firm. But these physical storms serve as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives.
If the winds of life—inflation, job insecurity, or the relentless noise of the digital age—started howling today, would your inner house stand firm? Or would you feel the floorboards begin to give way?
The Blueprint of the Wise Builder
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus gives us a masterclass in spiritual architecture:
“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.”
Notice that Jesus doesn’t say the wise man avoids the storm. The rain lashed down, the floods rose, and the gales battered both the wise and the foolish man. The difference wasn’t the “postcode” or the neighborhood; it was the foundation.
Why January is for “Foundation Work”
For many in the UK, Europe, and North America, January is a month of “battening down the hatches.” The holiday lights are down, the high street is quieter, and we are often left with the bare bones of our schedules. It is the perfect time to audit your spiritual foundation.
In our “distracted world,” it is incredibly easy to build our identity on shifting sands:
- The “Likes” Economy: Building our worth on the volatile opinions of social media feeds.
- The Rat Race: The Western drive to find our value only in our CVs or our productivity.
- The Comfort Trap: Building a life designed to avoid any “rough patches.”
The problem with sand is that it looks like solid paving until the tide comes in. When a crisis hits, “sandy” foundations erode, leaving us feeling anxious and “spread too thin.”
3 Pillars of a “Rock-Solid” Spiritual Foundation
To build on the Rock, we must move beyond just hearing the message over a cup of tea or coffee; we must live it out in the high street and the office.
1. Swap Self-Reliance for Prayer
In the UK and Europe, we often admire the “keep calm and carry on” spirit. In the US and Canada, we value “the self-made man.” While resilience is great, spiritual self-reliance is a sandy foundation.
- The Shift: Don’t treat prayer as a “break glass in case of emergency” tool. Make it the heavy foundation stone of your morning.
2. Deep Roots in the Word
We are currently living in an information blizzard. Between 24-hour news and endless scrolling, we consume a mountain of data. But is it nourishing?
- The Practice: If you want a foundation that won’t budge, you must spend more time in the Scriptures than you do on the news apps. The Word of God is the only “bedrock” that hasn’t shifted in two millennia.
3. Radical Obedience (Putting it into Practice)
Jesus defines the wise builder as the one who hears AND acts. If we read “love your neighbor” but ignore the person in the flat next door or the colleague at the next cubicle, we are building on sand. If we choose to trust God’s promises over our bank balance, we are laying a stone on the Rock.
Interactive Section: The “Foundation Audit”
Take a minute while you’re on your commute or having a quiet moment at home.
- The Gale Test: What is the one thing currently making you feel “unsteady”? (e.g., the cost of living, family friction, or health).
- The Foundation Check: When that stress hits, where do you turn? Is it a “sandy” habit (mindless scrolling, retail therapy, or venting) or a “rock” habit (Scripture and silence)?
- The Reinforcement: What is one “Word of Jesus” you can put into practice today?
Your Action Step: The Psalm 27 Challenge
Today, I want to challenge our community at jacobsimham.com to do more than just read. Let’s build.
Read Psalm 27. This Psalm is a fortress. David writes: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (v. 1).
How to do it:
- Read it slowly: Notice the imagery of the “stronghold.”
- Personalize it: Replace “enemies” with the specific anxieties (like the “winter blues” or financial stress) you are facing.
- The “Rock” Declaration: Write down verse 5 on a sticky note or save it as your phone’s lock screen: “He will set me high upon a rock.”
A Final Thought for My Friends in the West
We live in cultures that obsess over the “kerb appeal”—how the house looks from the outside. We care about our titles, our cars, and our outward success. But God is the Architect of the unseen. He cares about the foundation that no one sees but Him.
Don’t wait for the next “perfect storm” to find out what you are built on. Dig deep today.
The storm will come, but in Christ, your house will stand.
Let’s Chat!
I would love to hear from you.
- Which part of Psalm 27 gives you the most peace today?
- What is one “sandy” distraction you are trying to clear away this month?
Leave a comment below or share this with a friend who needs to strengthen their foundation today.
