My Sure Foundation

The underlying base. The foundation. Growing up, I learned a song about a wise man building his house upon a rock. Then there was the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. When the rain came, the foolish man's house crumpled and the wise man's house was strong and able to withstand the weather. The song goes on to say how we are to build our lives on the Lord rather than be foolish and build our lives on the things of this world. So, the takeaway for me is that it all comes down to the foundation.

I find myself building my life on the things of this world all the time. Maybe you can relate! Some places that I have placed my identity are in…

• My appearance

• What others think and day of me

• My academics

• Boys and Relationships

• Friendships

• How older people in power view me

• How younger people who look up to me view me

• How I view myself

• Where I live and where I come from

• My Ethnicity

• My job

• Leadership roles and power

Often, I like the sound of my own plan better than the sound of God’s plan. Usually, my plans involve things happening fast and quick. My plans usually include me being in control and making an extensive list of all the possibilities of hypothetical events that could happen. Often, God’s plan is the exact opposite, but so much better for me. When I make the choice to build on His foundation and do things His way, no power on Earth can ever and will ever shake me. That is so powerful and comforting. He is my sure foundation. Isaiah 33: 6 says, “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” I love The Passion Translation as well which says, “He will be your constant source of stability in changing times and out of his abundant love He gives you the riches of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Yes, the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure!” When we choose to build our lives on Jesus and the sure, promising, strong foundation He offers, we get to receive abundant love, riches of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. All for free! I love how the author claims that He has found the key to this treasure.

Something that I cling to is control. I love to feel powerful and have control of many things in my life. I have come to realize that this is not healthy and something I daily have to choose to die to my own life to fulfill the life He has for me. The idea of lacking control is something that fills me with fear, often at more times than others. I get reminded that when I choose to build my life and days on His foundation and plans, I get Perfect Love on my team! 1 John 4:8 reminds me that Perfect Love aka Jesus drives out fear. I love that language because Jesus doesn't just suggest that fear should leave me alone, He literally drives it out!

I know life is uncertain and scary and stressful, and daily choosing to say no to myself and yes to His plan is exhausting and against what the world wants me to do, however, it will serve me well and bring so much goodness in the days to come. Today, I encourage you to look at your own life. Where is your foundation laid? Do you feel like it's on the rock or on the sand? When the rain and weather comes, are you confident that you will not be shaken? This healing journey is a lifelong journey, but it is important to name it and start unpacking our identity baggage that we lug around. I have lugged my identity baggage along for way too long, and so now I am making the choice to work backwards and unpack it, slowly but fully. It is not easy, but it is so freeing and knowing that the Lord is my new place of foundation has made me more confident and stronger. My Sure Foundation. My Perfect Love. My Jesus.

- Bella