Wisdom in the Storm

By: John Carrigan

Monday, July 27, 2026

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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Sometimes, it feels like life is hitting you from all sides. If you're like me, you’ve probably had a few seasons of life where the weight of your problems seemed too heavy to bear. When you're already feeling drained, the emotional toll of an additional family crisis can feel crushing.

Watching someone you love suffer is arguably one of the hardest things we can endure. When our family is emotionally battered or in physical pain, it usually brings out our fierce, protective instincts. In those moments of physical and mental exhaustion, we are tempted to lean on our own understanding. When we're treated unfairly or wronged, earthly wisdom encourages us to be bitter, angry, and resentful. When people get hurt, they can lash out in anger and hurt others.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

James is warning us that earthly wisdom often leads to jealousy, bitterness, and rivalry. They all bring disorder, and we've all seen the end results of disorder. Next, James offers us a different type of wisdom, one that requires a shift in our hearts... God's heavenly wisdom!

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17

When everything inside you screams "fight back", or when you've sunk into despair due to physical pain and heartbreak, heavenly wisdom quietly whispers, “Trust God.” But that isn't how the world says we should respond. We aren't able to find this peaceful, gentle wisdom on our own, especially while we're hurting. We need the Holy Spirit's help.

Just as we can't tame our own tongues, we can't heal broken relationships or find peace in all circumstances on our own. Instead, we must surrender the entire situation to God. Then, we must ask the Holy Spirit to swap our exhaustion and bitterness for God's mercy and peace. The Lord is the only one who can change our broken soil into a "harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

Come before Him today, and lay down your pain, struggles, and pride. Then ask Him to fill you with His wisdom, the wisdom from above.