Christ is My Firm Foundation

We are back from the long Pchum Benh break in Kampong Cham, and my heart is still full from the time we spent with family and friends. It was a meaningful trip on so many levels. We had a wonderful time with Vandy’s side of the family, and despite the heavy rains that poured throughout the week, nothing could stop us from celebrating the holidays the Khmer way.

The table was always full. Plates of steaming Khmer food were passed around. Freshly harvested fruits made their way from farm to plate in a matter of hours. And of course, there were the traditional rice cakes my in-laws prepared "ansoum and numkom" which they always make ahead of Pchum Benh. These cakes are not only for the family to enjoy but also to be brought to the pagoda by Kong kong as offerings for ancestors, to be blessed by monks. If you’ve read my previous reflections 👈 you know that Pchum Benh is one of Cambodia’s most sacred festivals, rooted in Buddhist tradition. While as Christians we do not practice ancestor worship, being part of a Khmer family means stepping into these cultural rhythms with love, respect, and prayer that God’s light will shine through our lives. 

         
During our stay, we also had the privilege of visiting Pastor Sopheak’s family and church in Suong. This was not just a casual visit it was a reunion of hearts. Vandy and Pastor Sopheak go way back. They were classmates at Bible school, and over the years, their friendship has grown into a bond more like brothers than colleagues. They’ve weathered storms together, encouraged each other through moments of despair, and celebrated each other’s victories in ministry.

We intentionally did not tell them ahead of time that we would be joining their Sunday worship. We didn’t want them to prepare anything special. In the provinces, guests are treated with so much honor and preparation that sometimes it can be overwhelming. We just wanted to show up, to sit among the congregation, and to worship God together in the ordinary flow of their Sunday service. When they saw us, their surprise quickly turned into joy. Their smiles, their songs, their warm embraces reminded us of the beauty of God’s family.

The church in Suong began humbly, but today it has grown into a thriving community. On the church grounds is also an orphanage, led lovingly by Pastor Sopheak’s wife, Channa. They take care of the children as if they were their own, feeding them, sheltering them, and guiding them in the way of Christ. Years ago, when our mama Tessie visited Cambodia, we brought her to this very place. Together, we served food, sang songs, and spent time with the children. To be back here again stirred up precious memories.

What moved me most this time was seeing the elders in the church especially the grandmothers. These women brought with them their Khmer Bibles, hymnals, and even notebooks to write down sermon notes. Imagine that: women well into their senior years, still eager to learn, still hungry for the Word of God. David, my son, noticed it too. He whispered to me, “Mom, they’re taking notes, just like us.” It encouraged him to see that even in a simple provincial church, people are serious about growing in their faith.

As expected, Vandy was asked to share the Word. He preached from Jonah, focusing on the passage where God showed mercy to the people of Nineveh, even though Jonah himself was reluctant to see them forgiven. Vandy reminded the congregation that God’s compassion knows no limits. His grace is wider than our understanding. He even connected this truth to the Pchum Benh festival, pointing out that while many of the traditions practiced during this holiday do not please God, the season can still be an opportunity. It can be a time for Christians to share God’s goodness and to shine His love into conversations with family and neighbors.

👉 Setting Our Hearts 
👉 Reflections on Pchum Benh
👉 Why Do Cambodians Celebrate Pchum Benh? 
👉 What Does It Mean to Live Out my faith?

Guarding Against Fear and Worry

Coming home from such a trip, I found myself reflecting not only on the joy of reunion but also on the uncertainties of life. Heavy rains and floods had affected travel. Conversations with family reminded me of challenges they face in their daily lives. Even ministry friends shared struggles they are enduring.

In our world today, uncertainty seems to be everywhere. Wars, viruses, economic instability, political unrest, the safety of our children, and personal health concerns they all add up. Fear can easily creep into our hearts if we let it.

But the words of Jesus in John 14:1 speak directly to these troubled places in our souls:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

What a bold command. Jesus was speaking to His disciples who were facing real danger, persecution, and even death. Yet He told them not to let their hearts be troubled. That only makes sense when we understand what He was offering them Himself.

He is the firm foundation.

Christ is My Firm Foundation

One worship song that has been on repeat in my heart lately is Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes. The lyrics echo so deeply what Jesus said in John 14:1.

“Christ is my firm foundation, the Rock on which I stand. When everything around me is shaken, I’ve never been more glad that I put my faith in Jesus.”

Isn’t that the very essence of what it means to guard our hearts against fear and worry? We cannot stop the shaking. We cannot control every storm. But we can decide where we stand.

When everything else seems unstable, Jesus is unshakable. He has never let us down, and He never will. His faithfulness stretches across generations. His promises are true in every season.

The song continues, “I’ve still got joy in chaos, I’ve got peace that makes no sense.”

That line has been my anchor these past weeks. Joy in chaos. Peace that makes no sense. That is what Scripture calls unspeakable joy. It is not dependent on circumstances. It is not rooted in having everything figured out. It comes from knowing that Jesus is with us and that He is enough.

How Do I Refuel My Joy?

If I am honest, I get tired. I’m a lecturer in my mid-forties, and after trips like our recent study tour in Siem Reap or busy family holidays like Pchum Benh, I often find myself sighing at the end of the day, out of energy. I look at the young people I teach and serve alongside, and I think, “Gone are the days when I could keep up with their endless energy.”

So how do I refuel my joy?

The answer always brings me back to Jesus. I guard my joy by returning to Him. I open His Word, I listen to worship songs like Firm Foundation, I pray honestly about my worries, and I surround myself with fellow believers who remind me of God’s truth.

Here are some simple ways I’ve been learning to guard my heart against fear and worry and refuel joy:

1. Take every thought captive. When fear whispers lies, I speak God’s Word back to my own heart.

2. Stay rooted in Scripture. Reading and praying through passages like John 14:1 and Isaiah 26:3 keep me grounded.

3. Sing songs of truth. Worship doesn’t just happen in church, it can fill my kitchen, my car, or even my classroom.

4. Lean on community. Sharing struggles with trusted friends lifts the burden and reminds me that I am not alone.

5. Remember His faithfulness. Looking back at all the ways God has carried me before strengthens my faith for what lies ahead.

An Invitation

Friend, maybe as you read this, your heart is heavy. Maybe life feels unstable, and you are asking yourself how to guard against fear and worry. Let me encourage you with the same truth that encouraged me in Suong, that encouraged me during the rains of Kampong Cham, and that keeps me standing even on weary days:

Jesus is the firm foundation. He is the Rock on which we can stand when everything else is shaken.

He has never failed, and He never will.

And when we build our lives on Him, we will find joy in chaos and peace that makes no sense.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for being our firm foundation. Thank You for never leaving us even when life around us shakes. Help us to guard our hearts against fear and worry by trusting in You completely. May our lives shine with joy and peace that point others to Your goodness. Amen. 

Have a Blessed Week! 
The Hourngs 😅😍🙏