How to Handle the Storms of Life

HARDSHIPS often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny - C. S. Lewis.

So the storms you face in life point to your future, and the scars you wear indicate an extraordinary destiny.

When Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward (Hebrews 11:24-26).

PAUL, like Moses, knew he was made for more.

He understood that he was an ordinary man with an extraordinary destiny, so the prophecy of his arrest, rather than deterring him, prepared him for what was to come.

He wasn't only ready to go to Jerusalem, he was prepared to die.

Paul’s conviction in Christ was reflected in his response to the prophecy. Likewise, how you see God will show how you face adversity.

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The scars you wear indicate an extraordinary destiny

AFTER his arrest, they were about to leave Crete when Paul advised them not to proceed.

Men, I sense [after careful thought and observation] that this voyage will certainly be a disaster and with great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”

However, the centurion was persuaded by the captain and owner of the ship rather than by what Paul said (Acts of the Apostles 27:10-11).

When they ran into the storm, what did Paul do?

PAUL created stability by giving them courage, which provided him with leverage.

Men, you should have followed my advice and not set sail from Crete, which caused this damage and loss.

But even now, I urge you to keep up your courage and be in good spirits because there will be no loss of life among you, only loss of the ship.

PAUL counted it all joy (James 1:2-4).

When he shared this message, he stood on the word of God—anyone who stands on his word stands with God.

Paul knew God was trustworthy, so when you are caught in the storms of life, hold on to His Word.

PAUL gave them hope.

You hold on to hope as a duty, but when hope holds you, it becomes a privilege.

He said: For this very night, an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood before me.

He said, ‘Stop being afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; behold, God has given you [the lives of] all those sailing with you’ (Acts of the Apostles 27:24).

God told him that he wasn’t at the end of life. Paul would stand before Caesar.

Nothing can take you before your time when you have an extraordinary destiny. God will always watch over His own (Psalm 121:5-8).

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Hold on to hope as a duty

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN said: We must indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang alone.

The sailors feared for their lives, and some of them wanted to escape from the ship.

But Paul told the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts of the Apostles 27:32)

Unless you stay with Christ, you will not make it.

PAUL told them that they would not make it alone.

When things are difficult, you need people because you cannot make it alone.

While waiting for dawn, Paul told them to have some food.

PAUL took bread, gave thanks and ate (Acts of the Apostles 27:35).

Everywhere communion is taken, gratitude or blessing comes before it (Luke 22:19 & Genesis 14:18).

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

If there’s a time to thank God and take communion, it’s in the storm of life.

Whenever you take communion, you remember the work of redemption and acknowledge his power in your situation.

AFTER THIS, they ate and worked together. They threw a cargo of wheat into the sea to make the ship lighter, and everyone became a participant.

You need to get rid of things in your life to be lighter (Hebrews 12:1).

STORMS do not take you out, but teach you life principles.

You learn that the peace of God abounds in chaos, and his strength is made perfect in weakness (Philippians 4:7 & 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Each of them saw themselves in the storm because it was impossible, and God gave them the chance to see Him.

If you can see yourself in this story, God wants you to see him in your situation.

He who knew no sin became sin that you might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).

If you’ve not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it’s time to do so.

Confess your sins and invite him into your heart. If you’ve done this, God bless you.

Have a great week.