As I struggled to fall asleep that night, I could still feel the rolling waves.  The entire room was moving up and down and side to side, as if it were attached to hydraulic lifts.

Earlier that morning, we had left at sunrise for a day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.  The weather was gorgeous, but the waves were about 4-6 feet.  My best friend's dad was the captain, and with his coordinates he led us to the precise location of a homemade reef about 40 miles offshore. We caught two five-foot long ice chests full of red snapper, triggerfish, and amberjack. I loved every salty second of it. What I didn't expect that day was how much concentration it took just to stay on my feet. A simple walk across the deck could easily end with me flat on my back'or worse'overboard.

For the entire day, my world was completely unstable.  As I lay in bed that night I still felt the effects of the instability. An unstable boat is unnerving, but right now many of us are experiencing serious instabilities: financial instability, health issues, and relationship struggles. Facing these serious instabilities requires more than just a good attitude and a healthy self-esteem. Instead, what's needed to weather these storms are roots that run deep.  

In Colossians 2:6, Paul tells us how to develop spiritual stability. He says, "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him..." Do you ever think about what it means to “walk in him?" It simply means to consistently arrange your life around the reality of Jesus Christ. 

How do we do that? When we make decisions, we need to allow the reality of Christ in our life to guide the decision-making process. When we are struggling with discouragement, we allow the reality of Christ in our life to give us a new perspective on our problems. When we are tempted to lie, lust, gossip, complain, or any other sin that habitually trips us up, we must recognize the reality of our new life in Christ. Because of our new heart, we no longer truly desire to do those things. That's arranging your life around the reality of Christ. If we do that consistently, we'll begin to develop spiritual stability. 

If verse six tells us how we develop spiritual stability, verse seven tells us why: "...having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." (Colossians 2:7).

Why is spiritual stability so essential, especially in our turbulent times? What are the advantages of consistently arranging our lives around the reality of Jesus Christ? Look again at verse seven. Notice that there are four advantages to spiritual stability. They're marked by the words “rooted,” “built up,” “established,” and “overflowing.”

Firmly Rooted

Growing up along the Alabama Gulf Coast I have seen several powerful hurricanes. Hurricanes do major damage to trees. The trees that survive the storm have major taproots and well developed secondary roots as well.

How are you holding up in the storm? Storms of life blow in when you least expect it, don't they?  If your roots are spread down deep into Christ himself, if you are spiritually stable, if you have consistently arranged your life around the reality of Christ, then hang on tight and trust Him. You can survive the storm…  I promise … because you are rooted in Christ. 

Built Up in Him

Not only do you have roots that extend below the surface, which no one really sees, but as a spiritually stable person you are also built up in Christ. You have a superstructure about your life that rises above the surface. It's visible. Others can see it. Just like that city on a hill that cannot be hidden, a life that is consistently arranged around the reality of Christ will be a testimony and an example to others. 

Established in Your Faith

The word “established” means to make stable, and the phrase “the faith” usually refers to the system of beliefs you hold, or the basic tenets of Christianity.  A benefit of spiritual stability is that your beliefs are stable.  Your worldview is not wishy washy or double minded. You have confidence about what you have been taught.

Overflowing with Thankfulness

A true sign of spiritual stability is an attitude of thankfulness that overflows from your inner being. Is there a thankful attitude in your life? Do you appreciate others? Thankfulness leads to contentment, which leads to inner peace, which leads to happiness. Remember though, this progression starts with being secure and stable in your relationship with Christ.  

A spiritually stable individual is rooted in Christ, built up in Him, established in the faith, and lives a life overflowing with thankfulness. You can't overestimate the value of stability…especially when you encounter the gale force winds of life that are guaranteed to come at some point in your life. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Continue to walk in Him,

Andy