Life often has a way of throwing unexpected storms our way, and sometimes, these storms are far more powerful and destructive than we could ever anticipate. A few days ago, I found myself in the midst of such a storm—a horrific hailstorm with softball-sized hail that wreaked havoc in our neighborhood. Everything that we typically use to define our success and status… suddenly lay shattered and broken. It was in the aftermath of this natural disaster that I came to a profound realization: my true identity is not rooted in earthly possessions or circumstances but in Christ Jesus.
The Storm
As the softball-sized hail pounded our home, shattering windows and pelting our property like bullets and shrapnel from a warzone, it felt like the world was collapsing around me. The house I had invested so much in, the cars I treasured, and the yard my wife Courtney and I had lovingly cultivated for six months were all laid to waste. It was a moment of reckoning that forced me to question what truly defined me and gave me a sense of purpose.
In the days that followed, I found myself immersed in the chaos of debris cleanup, dealing with insurance agents, home inspectors, and roofers. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a quiet realization began to emerge from within—a realization that the material possessions and external trappings I had once associated with my identity were ephemeral and could be taken away in an instant.
The Aftermath
It was during one quiet moment, as I sat in my chair, contemplating the storm’s aftermath, that it hit me like a bolt of lightning. The only unwavering, eternal truth in my life is my identity in Christ Jesus. In that moment of revelation, a profound sense of peace washed over me.
In the face of destruction, I realized that the only constant in life, the only true anchor for my soul, is my faith in Christ. The storm may have taken away my material possessions, but it couldn’t take away my identity in Him. It couldn’t touch the love and grace that Christ had bestowed upon me.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39
The Blessings
In the midst of the devastation, there were blessings to count. My beautiful wife, Courtney, emerged from the storm unscathed. Our daughters were safely away from home when the hailstorm hit, shielding them from harm’s way. Even our dogs, including the new puppy who had narrowly escaped a shattering window (and now has a touch of PTSD…don’t take him through the carwash…ask me how I know) were safe.
This experience served as a stark reminder that our true identity isn’t defined by our houses, cars, meticulously landscaped yards, pets, or even family. Our true identity is found in our relationship with Christ. When we depart from this world, all our possessions will fade into obscurity and be forgotten, but our identity in Christ will endure for eternity.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18
Bottom Line Y’all…
The devastating hail storm that swept through our neighborhood may have stripped away some tangible markers of my identity, but it ultimately revealed a deeper truth. Our true identity is not found in the transient things of this world but in our connection to Christ Jesus. In times of turmoil and chaos, it is this unshakable foundation that provides the peace and solace we so desperately need.
As we navigate the storms of life, may we remember that our identity in Christ is the one thing that remains constant, unwavering, and eternal. In the face of devastation (of all kinds), we can find solace, purpose, and hope by grounding ourselves in Him. Our true identity in Christ transcends earthly possessions, and it is a source of enduring peace that no storm can extinguish.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ~Psalm 46:1
Mitch Fairchild 
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