Encouraged in your storm
Saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:24
Sometimes the storms of life rage so violently that it can be hard to hear anything not to mention the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit on the inside. When the craziness of life turns things upside down, if often feels like all you can do is panic. Trying to make good decisions in that time of urgency can almost feel impossible, but you got to do something, right? If you are anything like me, you pretty much feel obligated to do something in those stressful seasons to try anything possible to calm the storm, but the truth is, you can actually have peace right in the middle of it.
In today’s reading, the ship Paul was sailing to Rome on got caught in a storm and could not get out. It was days, even weeks that the crew battled to keep the ship on course. Everyone on board was seasick from being tossed around in the winds for nearly two weeks. The passage says that they were at the point where all hope of surviving the tempest was gone. They had given up the fight because all hope was lost. Finally, Paul heard from God. He had sent an angel to stand with Paul and encourage him. Paul was given peace right in the middle of the storm and he was able to share that peace and message with the entire crew. He encouraged them to cheer up and eat so they could have enough strength to make it to shore. Nothing really changed in that moment, the storm didn’t go away. Yet, they were all given hope that changed the way they were thinking. That is when they got up, ate and pressed on until they were able to get to land.
That’s what happens when you hear from the Holy Spirit on the inside of your heart. Nothing is going to change in your circumstance until it first changes in your heart. When you hear something on the inside or a scripture resonates with your spirit to let you know that God is with you and will take you through to victory. That is when peace comes. Though the storm may still be raging and the winds still blowing you around, you have hope and now you have something to anchor it to . . . the “word” that He gave you.
Today I want to encourage you in whatever storm you are in, to press in to what the Lord wants you to hear and say about your situation. Wait there with thanksgiving until you hear those encouraging words that bring peace. Then take hold of that scripture or Word and begin to thank Him for it. Thank Him that He has given you hope and peace and thank Him that He is calming the circumstances around you. Then continue to thank Him every time you think of the storm or see the results of it. It won’t be long at all when you begin to see a shift and the end in sight. Thank Him for the victory that He has planned and prepared for you because you know He will always take you there. Then remember and even write down how He rescued you so that you are ready when the next storm comes to try to push you around.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:13-26
13When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
14But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.
15So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
16And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
17When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
18And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
19On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
20Now 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.
21 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.
22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
The Daily Dose 