For two days, Mumbai has faced relentless rains. Streets have flooded, trains have stalled, and families are trapped in homes waiting for relief. The city that prides itself on resilience has once again been brought to its knees by waters that will not recede. I live in the suburbs, and the sheer volume of rain in just two or three days has reminded me how fragile human systems really are. A city that never stops suddenly slows under a weight that no one can control.
This is more than a weather event. It is a parable of life itself. The floods outside us expose the foundations within us. They show whether we are anchored in Christ or swayed by fear. Scripture calls this “the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13), the day when storms test what we are truly built upon.
Foundations in the Flood #
Every storm is an invitation to rediscover the strength of the Rock beneath our feet.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP)
“Be unceasing and persistent in prayer.”
Ephesians 5:15–16 (NET)
“Therefore be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Mark 4:39 (ESV)
“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
When rains pour, trains halt, and people are stranded, we see that the old Adamic man is restless, fearful, and anxious in crisis. He seeks survival by his own strength, scrambling for control. But those in Christ live differently.
Paul makes this clear:
Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [of] the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Notice it is not “faith in the Son of God” but “faith of the Son of God.” This is the difference. Our faith is not a weak effort to trust in the middle of fear. It is His very faith working in us. When waters rise, we draw from His unshakable trust in the Father.
Floods do not create weakness; they reveal foundations.
Walking in the New Covenant #
So how do we live when the storms do not pass quickly? Scripture gives us a pattern.
Pray without ceasing — not as a ritual, but as breathing Christ’s life. Panic becomes prayer when we turn to Him. In the flood, communion replaces fear.
Redeem the time — storms stop our schedules, but they open new opportunities. We can encourage neighbours, minister online, or gather in small prayer groups. Floods remind us that time is short and eternity is real.
Be still in the storm — Jesus once stilled Galilee’s waters. Today, He speaks calmly into our hearts. Even if Mumbai’s waters take days to subside, the Rock beneath us is unshaken.
Reflection on Ministry in Storms #
Modern ministry often feels like Mumbai’s traffic: crowded, noisy, and pressured to keep moving. But storms test what is truly driving us. Many ministries today are built on sand — entertainment, motivational speeches, or prosperity hype. They may gather crowds, but they cannot withstand the torrents of cultural pressure or spiritual attack.
The Word calls us back to prayer, crucified living, and redeeming the time. These do not depend on trends but on eternal union with Christ. Social media rewards performance, but the kingdom calls for presence. Churches may build platforms, but Christ builds disciples. Popularity may measure success, but Christ looks for depth.
And yet, there are faithful examples. In these floods, some churches have opened their doors, sheltered the poor, and lived out the gospel practically. These are the houses that stand because they are built on the Rock.
Two Responses to Pressure #
Every crisis exposes whether we are walking in Adam or in Christ. Old Adamic man reacts with anxiety, blame, and despair. His foundation is shifting sand, and the flood sweeps him away. The new man in Christ responds with prayer, peace, and endurance. His foundation is Christ crucified and risen.
Jesus told this parable:
Matthew 7:24–25 (AMP)
“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man [a farsighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
The Greek word for “rock” here is petra — a solid, immovable mass. Not shifting sand, not temporary stability. Christ Himself.
Floods in Scripture often symbolise overwhelming trials or chaos (Psalm 69:1–2). They test not our decorations but our foundations. Outward success cannot sustain us when the rains beat down. Only Christ within can.
Sand vs Rock #
A life built on sand relies on self-effort, performance, and trends. It is driven by the old Adamic nature, by appearances, and by religion. It collapses under pressure.
A life built on the Rock rests in Christ’s finished work. It is rooted in His Word, sustained by His Spirit, and shaped by His cross. This house stands firm, no matter how fierce the floods.
Psalm 28:7 (AMP)
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”
When sickness comes, the Rock holds. When finances are shaken, the Rock remains. When death casts its shadow, the Rock still stands.
Practical Encouragement in the Storm #
How do we apply this when the water rises around us?
- When fear grips, breathe prayer. Turn every anxious thought into communion.
- When schedules collapse, redeem the time. Use the pause to listen, reflect, and serve.
- When emotions swing, anchor yourself in Christ’s peace. Say aloud His words: “Peace, be still.”
- When weariness weighs heavily, remember His strength is already yours.
The Rock is not an idea; it is a Person. Christ is the stability of our souls, the peace of our hearts, and the strength of our bodies.
Floods are unavoidable. But collapse is not. Those who build on Him will stand.
In Christ,
Godwin.
