Thunderstorms fascinate me. I don’t know why, they just do. Hearing the loud, explosive sound of thunder just after the lightning strikes across a dark, cloudy sky is very captivating. I admit the thunder can be a bit too loud, but I still think these types of storms are a marvelous work of Mother Nature. I guess I enjoy the show that she puts on for us sometimes.
In great contrast, there are storms that occur in the lives of people that I do not enjoy watching. These types of storms are what many refer to as, the storms of life. And if you think about it, really there’s not much difference between nature’s storms and life’s storms. They both can be pretty rough. Especially if the devil gets to showing off like Mother Nature has been known to do. Yeah, you guessed it. I believe these so-called storms of life originate from satan. And just as the lightning strikes across the sky, the devil tries to strike people with sickness, financial problems, addictions, etc. Whatever type of storm he can dream up he’ll try to send it. But, I don't think for a second we have to allow these storms to rage in our lives and destroy us.
Are the storm clouds gathering in your life right now? Is the lightning flashing and the thunder roaring? Is the wind starting to breeze by you? Have you felt the raindrops yet? Maybe your storm experience is much more severe than a little wind and a few drops of rain. Maybe the storm brewing in your life would be considered more on the level of a hurricane. Maybe it’s so severe that you don’t quite know for sure if you’re going to come out of it alive. In fact, you feel like giving up completely. Well just hang on. Help is on the way. The Lord can make your storm disappear as He did in Mark Chapter 4. Or, if for some reason He chooses to allow you to go through the storm, He can bring you out unharmed. Those on the ship with Paul in Acts Chapter 27 suffered shipwreck but there was no loss of life. We’ll get to that a little bit later. But right now let’s read what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 and 25,
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock
The devil sends different types of storms to try and destroy God’s people. He would like nothing more than to sweep us all off the planet. But if we do the sayings of Jesus and build our spiritual foundation upon a rock then we will be standing strong long after the storm has blown over. And that rock in which we are to build upon is Christ. For He alone is our Rock. (1st Corinthians 10:4)
If you’re going through a storm, be wise, grab hold of God’s Word and hang on for dear life. The wind may blow and the rain may pour upon your spiritual house (your soul) but if you stand firm you will not fall.
There’s nothing like going through and then coming out of a storm, still standing, to stir up your faith.
Jesus Calms a Storm at Sea
He can calm your storm
Mark: 4: 37-40,
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?
The initial reaction of those on this ship with Jesus was that of fear. I thought that was a natural reaction since it looked like they were all going to die. But Jesus said, "How is it that ye have no faith?" Considering the situation, was that an odd statement coming from Jesus? No, not really. Jesus was trying to teach them that all it took was a little faith to calm a storm. But they were filled with so much fear that even Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.
If a storm is brewing in your life right now do not fear but rather have faith. If Jesus can calm a violent storm at sea then He can certainly calm any storm you’re going through. Your storm may be in the form of a sickness, as we mentioned earlier. It may be an emotional upset or something so troubling that you can’t even bare to talk about it. Whatever it is, God wants you to know that He can take care of it. He can calm the raging seas of your soul.
Do not fear when the waves are dashing high against your soul, simply say, "Devil, if my ship goes down, I’ll just walk on the water."
Paul Suffers ShipWreck
But Comes Out Unharmed
Oftentimes when folks lose hope they just give up completely, as I mentioned at the beginning of this article. You don’t have to be one of those that give up. If you’re in a stormy situation a word from God can restore your hope and transform your negative outlook into a positive one. As a matter of fact, you can get a word from God that is so powerful, it will not only change your outlookon the storm you’re in, but it can change the outcomeof the storm you’re in.
There is an interesting story in Acts, Chapter 27 about a storm. A storm so dangerous that it almost took the lives of all those on board a ship. In fact it was so frightening that it caused many to lose hope.
Acts 27:14 and 15,
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
Acts 27:20 says,
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
This ship was caught up in the wind and was being blown apart. And, seemingly, all hope was gone. They hadn’t even seen the sun or the stars in many days it was so dark. It looked like it was all over for them. It looked mighty grim.
Does it look like it’s all over for you? Are things looking grim in your situation? Do you think you’re going to die in the storm? Is it so dark you can’t find your way out even if you wanted to try? Well, don’t give up just yet. This story isn’t over yet and neither is yours. Let’s see what happens.
A Couple of Points About the Story in Chapter 27
First, we all know that this ship was doomed from the start. In verse 10 Paul warned them and basically said, this ship is going down. But, they wouldn’t listen to him. And no doubt if the Apostle Paul hadn’t been on board everyone on there would have died. But as soon as the Apostle Paul stepped on board the atmosphere for a miracle was created. Why? Because he was a believer in God.
Second, we all know that nothing bad is going to happen to Paul anyway. If everyone else goes down with the ship, Paul will be found somewhere walking on the water. He is God’s man of the hour. God is using him to preach His Word. Thus, making Paul the star in this story. And, just like in the movies, the main character may get beat up or shot but he isn’t going to die. You can count on that. If it’s a box office smash there are sequels to be made and you can’t have a sequel unless your star is alive at the end. Well, let me tell you, the Apostle Paul was alive at the end of this story and there were many sequels to follow. The Apostle Paul wrote about two- thirds of the New Testament.
Now, on with the story…
Paul is stuck on this ship, right? Not of free will for he was being held as a prisoner. Now picture it. The ship is caught up in the wind and its being ripped apart, while Paul is there somewhere looking on. I think its interesting to note that Paul didn’t calm the storm as Jesus had done in Mark Chapter 4. However, he must to have been praying because Acts 27: 21 says that after a long abstinence Paul returned and after he returned this is what he had to say.
Acts 27:21-25,
21, "But after a long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23, For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve. 24, Saying fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.25,Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Paul said, the ship is going down just like I told you it would. However, I have good news! Although you’re going to lose everything else, there will be no loss of life.
A disaster turned into a miracle that day because Paul believed God. God restored these men’s hope and He can restore yours!
So, as spoken by God through Paul, and recorded in the last verses of Chapter 27, not one person lost their life that day! They all escaped safely to land. Praise God!
Acts 27:44,
And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
What Do These Stories Have To Do With You?
You may be saying, these are great storm stories Darlene, they should be broadcast on the Weather Channel. But, what do they have to do with my situation? How can they help me? Well, they should restore your hope. Like I said before, if Jesus can calm a violent storm at sea then he can certainly calm any type of personal storm you may be going through. Moreover, our God has so much power that He can actually take you through a storm and bring you back out again, totally and completely unharmed. Paul was on a ship set for disaster but God brought him back to shore safely. If He’ll do it for Paul He’ll do it for you. God does not play favorites.
In Conclusion, I want to point out, just because a storm is headed your way that doesn’t mean you have to just lay down and die. Stand up and proclaim God’s Word. I believe many storms in life can be avoided when we stand up and say, "Devil you’re a liar, and you’re not going to bring me down. My ship has set sail and I’m going to make it to the other side, totally and completely unharmed, in the name of Jesus! If you send a storm God will calm it. However, if God allows me to go through it, we’ll let’s just say, I’ll race you back to shore."
If you’re being tossed to and fro on the sea of life, trust God to help you make a safe return back to shore. He can and He will!
Until Next time, remember, I said it and you read it, right here at The Christian Online Magazine.
