Storms of Life

I was reading about Paul this morning in Acts and I got thinking about the storms he experienced in his missionary journeys, especially the one that took place on his way to Rome.  Today I am going to relate storms to circumstances and situations that believers face every day.  Some of us seem to have storms looming over us that are raging all the time and we seem to be overwhelmed by them, while others seem to not experience such turmoil when facing storms that take place in all of our lives.

Paul was immersed in storms and the one that took place on his way to Rome threatened him and the crew that was with him.  It was a literal raging storm that was so fierce that there was grave danger of losing not only the ship and all the cargo but also everyone on the ship.  If you have ever been on a lake or a large body of water in a storm you know a little about how scary they can be and how quickly things can develop and even get out of hand at times.  How do some storms occur?  Many come through the decisions we make, if you think about it, this storm could have been avoided but the centurion listened to the wrong voice and so do we.

Read what it says in Acts 27:9-12, “Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, ‘Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.’ Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.”

Paul warned them but the centurion didn’t take Paul’s advice.  How many times are we warned about things from pastors or other people that we should trust but then we go our way and do our own thing and afterwards wish we would have listened?   

Now think on this, when the storms come how many of us go to the Lord in prayer and seek His help or do we start blaming God for the storms that we have brought on ourselves?  Paul always knew where his help came from and relied on the Lord for his help.  I don’t believe that I have ever read where Paul blamed God for anything that took place in his life and I believe this was no exception.

Read what it says in verses 21-26, “But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.’”

Paul’s faith and trust in the Lord kept him in perfect peace in every storm that he had to face.  I wish I could say the same for me; what about you?  Think about the centurion, soldiers and the shipmates that were with him who were experienced men on the boat, they feared for their lives and had a good reason to, but Paul was calm and in control, knowing who he believed in and trusting what He said.  While these men fasted 14 days, it doesn’t say this, but I believe Paul was fellowshipping with the Lord praying and rejoicing in Him.  

Paul also encouraged the men on board to eat for their health’s sake, saying this in verse 34, “Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”

Read their response to Paul’s encouragement in verses 35-36, “And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.”

It is always good to have encouraging people around you when you are going through the storms in your life.  When the shipwreck finally happened, what Paul said would happen did take place.  Read verses 42-44, “And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.”  

All ended up safe and not one lost their lives!  Question: why do we find it so hard to believe God’s promises when we are going through a storm?  I think for many of us the storms are so frequent we get overwhelmed and we become like Peter when he started walking on the water to Jesus.  He was doing fine at first, full of enthusiasm, and then he got his eyes off the Lord and on the storm so he started to sink, but even then Jesus reached out and saved him.  Peter caused himself to sink, or you might say to give in to the storm, but the Lord didn’t allow him to drown even though it was Peter’s own fault. 

When we bring on the storms in our lives, or however they may come, if we seek Him and remain faithful He will rescue us also. There is no overwhelming problem or storm that the Lord cannot handle, so my advice would be to let the Lord do just that and let His peace flood our souls even in the midst of the storm.  Paul did and we can also, we just need to do our part and choose to be joyful.  If Paul and Silas could rejoice in a cold dark prison we should try our best in the storms we face.  Enough said, I think you got the point.  Something to think about!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a superb day!!