American football quarterback C. J. Stroud is young, talented, and an unashamed believer in Jesus. In a profession where the average career span is just 3.3 years, Stroud has been outspoken about where his trust lies. “Football has a lot of . . . twists and turns. But, at the end of the day, it’s all about your foundation. And something that’s set my foundation is my faith.”

Football, or any other profession, isn’t the only sphere of life with ups and downs, twists and turns. Jesus’ story in Matthew 7:24-27 featured two houses, each pummeled by rain, floods, and wind. But only one survived the storm: it “did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (v. 25). This is the metaphor used for Jesus’ teaching (vv. 24, 26).

Yes, storms happen in this life. Sickness and countless other dilemmas can leave us spinning. Though “stormproof” living isn’t an option in this world, building our lives on Jesus and His teaching—our sure “foundation” (see 1 Corinthians 3:11 )—makes the difference. Those who refuse to embrace Christ are more vulnerable when life’s storms come. But those who listen to His words will find stability: “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 7:25 ). Indeed, it’s all about our foundation.