Wars and Storms
But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. – Acts 27:14 NKJV.
Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. – Acts 27:20 NKJV.
Storms are a part of life here on planet earth. Some storms are physical; tornados, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes/cyclones. We live in a terribly violent world. There is storm of war now which has come upon the Ukrainian people. We know of other storms which sometimes come. We’ve experienced the storm of the pandemic which has caused so much pain for so many people. We face the deaths of loved ones, job losses, accidents, diseases, soured friendships, and countless other emotional storms during a lifetime.
There are two ways to go through these storms. The first approach is the one of the centurions, the soldiers, and the sailors aboard the ship with the apostle Paul. What should have been a beautiful Mediterranean cruise had turned into a nightmare. The ship was blown around like an eggshell for two weeks. We cannot imagine the terror of it. For two weeks, knowing that at any time the ship could sink, and they would lose their lives. After two weeks they had no hope of surviving. “all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.”
The first approach to the storms of life is the normal human response. However, we do not have to give up. There is another way to face these seemingly hopeless situations which roll unexpectedly into our lives. We look at the apostle Paul’s reactions. Paul apparently never experienced panic. Paul did not even worry! What did Paul have that kept him so steady in the midst of such a horrendous situation? Paul had anchors. Paul had anchors of faith that kept him from overturning in the rough sea of life. Paul’s response was: “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. (Acts 27:25).”
In the midst of the storms which have come upon us let us not forget to remember the things which He has told us. We have a Book full of His promises to us. Let us believe them!!