Storms come to everyone. Whether emotional, spiritual or physical, trials reveal the foundation upon which we are building our lives. Matt Cruz, a full-time minister with over a decade of experience, shares how God used storms in his life to expose shaky foundations and lead him into deeper healing and maturity.
Cruz began preaching at 19 and went full-time around 21. Early on, doors opened, his social media presence grew and he experienced great influence. Yet, despite the outward success, his foundation was unstable. In an interview with Charisma Media, he explains how Jesus compares those who build on rock versus sand. When storms hit, only the house on the rock stands.
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“My foundation was shaky,” Matt admits. “I was leading while leaking—broken inside and bound by rejection.” It was a painful season, but it drove him closer to Jesus and healing. Without that pain, he says, he would never have found his true strength.
Because of the hardships he endured, Cruz is now able to give practical advice for weathering storms, such as:
- Recognize God’s relentless pursuit of you.
- Building your altar in private through daily prayer and repentance.
- Respond to conviction, not condemnation.
- Stay alert and sober-minded, avoiding isolation and distraction (1 Peter 5:8).
Storms often lead to seasons of waiting, which many find hard. “I used to get mad at God for delays, but now I thank Him for protecting me,” Cruz says. Waiting seasons are God’s way of maturing us and aligning our desires with His will. “He doesn’t give us what we want; He gives us what we need to want.” Over time, our desires shift toward something greater: His presence.
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Cruz also warns of the danger of “cheap substitutes” — lesser lovers and temporary solutions that fill the void when we drift from God. He uses King David’s fall with Bathsheba as an example: even a mighty worshiper became vulnerable when he distanced himself from God’s presence.
To avoid this, he emphasizes cultivating a vibrant relationship with God. “Keep the fire on the altar burning, never letting it go out,” he urges, quoting Leviticus 6:12. This requires daily intentionality, repentance and fellowship.
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At one point, Cruz realized he was working hard for God without truly sitting with God. He lacked the “burning bush” encounter Moses had before his assignment. “God was calling me back to the burning bush—to recharge spiritually,” he explains. The church can be a charging station, but real power comes from private time with God.
In life’s storms, God reveals what our foundation truly is. Spiritual maturity isn’t about external success but about who we are to God. Waiting seasons transform us and align us with His perfect will. Keeping the fire of God burning in our hearts through intimate fellowship, repentance and vigilance enables us to stand firm—built on the rock that is Christ.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
