Jesus closes his magnificent Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27 with a comparison to encourage those who heard his words to take heed and do them.

  We would all like to qualify as wise men. To do so requires that we hear the Word, the logos, and do it. After having been given such a wealth of teaching, Jesus challenged them to make the choice to do what he taught them. If they did as he said, they would be building their “house,” their life upon a good foundation that would serve them well for the rest of their lives. If they did not, the inevitable storms of life would be sure to take them out.

  While the same things may happen to us all, they do not have the same effect upon us all. It is not the storm as much as our reaction to the storm that determines its effect upon us. Life’s blows make some people bitter and resentful while others are sweetened and refined. Although some dismiss the difference to whether or not one develops a “positive attitude,” I think the reason goes much deeper. Why are some positive in the face of the torrents of life, while others are not?

  It all goes back to the foundation we have established. Have we dug deep enough to reach the bedrock of our lives or do we deal with life’s challenges on a superficial level. Are we satisfied with “good enough to get by,” or do we do the best we can in response to life’s situation. The “return” on our “investment” of our involvement in life often comes in proportion to the effort we put into it. Once we have the Word, meaning and fulfillment in life usually comes from the effort we put into it.

  Let me caution you to not jump to the conclusion that we work our way to happiness. Yes, Jesus said, “If you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17). We understand that only the grace of God ever gets us in the position or to the place where we even hear His Word. Recognizing His grace and the opportunities He presents, allows us to respond with joy and vigor without the burden of figuring everything out by ourselves.

  Paul encouraged Timothy “to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1) Paul acknowledged “by the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) Our wholeness is conditioned upon us “working out our salvation.” (Philippians 2:12) This is done, not by the works of the law or of the flesh, but by walking by the spirit. Acknowledging our partnership with God as fellowlaborers, supplies the courage and endurance we need to move on.

  We are not “defined” by our problems, but we can be “refined” by them. How we respond to life determines whether we are beaten or blessed… whether we are victims or victors. We change problems into possibilities, and stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

  The bedrock supporting our godly, positive, and encouraging attitudes is our partnership with God. We are in His family under His care. We work together with Him. Paul amidst one of the greatest storms of life declared His confidence in the Word of the God “whose he was and whom he served.” (Acts 27:23) He believed God and knew that it would be, even as God told him it would be.

  God wants us established upon the solid rock. We know storms will come. We do not expect them or welcome them as friends. BUT, neither do we shrink back in fear or despair. Our God is able to deliver to the uttermost, and our confidence is in Him.

  We are whom God says we are; we have what God says we have; and we can do what He says we can do; BECAUSE God is Whom He says He is. His declaration of Himself in His Word is true. We show ourselves wise as we live as He has directed.