Storms come in life, it’s a guarantee. The key is how you handle them, so you are not shipwrecked. Today we’re going to look at a ship caught in a storm in Acts and learn from how these sailors handled things nautically to learn how to get through life storms.
The Event
13 When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose. They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 But not long afterward, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. 15 Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff. 17 After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Then, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. 18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s gear overboard with their own hands. (Acts 27:13-19)
Key Points
- A severe storm came out of nowhere suddenly (v14)
- The sailor’s actions:
- They went along with it instead of fighting against it (v15)
- They sailed close to an island to help protect themselves from the storm (v16)
- They prepared for the worst and secured the lifeboat (v16b-17a)
- They reinforced the ship, so it didn’t break apart (v17b)
- When they saw they were heading to shipwreck, they lowered the drift-anchor which slowed them down and adjusted their course so they didn’t run aground (v17c)
- They got rid of the extra baggage to lighten the load (v18)
What You Can Learn
Notice from the passage that severe storms can come up suddenly. The same can happen in your life. In an instant you can be thrown into a life storm by news from a doctor, the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or many other things. Here are lessons to learn on dealing with those life storms:
- Go along with the storm instead of fighting against it
Learn to accept life difficulties instead of denying or fighting them. Those coping methods will only make this worse in the long run and wear you out. Accept the storm and focus on getting through it instead of fighting it. That’s what the sailors did in verse 15. Their first move with to accept the fact they were caught in a storm and gave way to it instead of fighting against it.
You need to do the same and keep the proper perspective in life. After the loss of his children, servants, money, and livelihood, Job’s wife gave him a hard time. Look at his response.
9 His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” (Job 2:9-10)
Accept adversity in your life and deal with it. Consider it a trial that God is using to mature you:
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (Jms 1:2-4)
- Seek shelter from the storm
The sailors stayed close to the shore of an island to receive as much protection as they could from the storm (v16).
Protect yourself from the storm if you can. If it is being caused by somebody, avoid them. If it is being caused by a place you go like a bar, avoid it. Protect yourself as much as possible.
Turn to God for shelter and protection:
1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. (Ps 46:1-3)
- Be prepared for the worst
The sailors prepared for the worst by making sure the lifeboat was safe (v16b-17a). You need to prepare for the worst by accepting that it might end badly. You need to prepare for an accept God’s will one way or the other.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Dan 3:16-18)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego accepted whatever God’s will for them was under the threat of being thrown into the fire for not worshipping an idol. They accepted God’s will whether it meant living or dying. They prepared for the worst. Do the same. Be prepared for the worst by accepting and surrendering to God’s will.
- Reinforce yourself so you don’t fall apart in the storm
The sailors reinforced the ship to stop it front falling apart during the storm. You need to reinforce yourself to avoid coming apart during your storms. Reinforce yourself by getting into God’s Word, praying, and looking toward Him.
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” (Mt 7:24-27)
- Slow down and change course to avoid a disaster
When the sailors saw they were heading to shipwreck, they lowered the drift-anchor which slowed them down and adjusted their course so they didn’t run aground (v17b). A drift anchor is like a parachute underwater that slows a ship and points it in the right direction.
You need to slow down your life and make sure you are turned toward God when caught in a storm.
Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me. (Ps 50:15)
How often do we forget to turn to God immediately when thrown into a life storm because we are racing to fix things or caught up in emotions. When a storm hits, throw out your drift-anchor to slow down so you can turn to God for help.
- Gid rid of the things weighing you down making you sink
The sailors got rid of the extra baggage to lighten the load so they wouldn’t sink (v18). You need to do the same thing. Get rid of everything that might be hindering you like sin, anxiety, and cares:
… let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, (Heb 12:1)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. (1 Pe 5:7)
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Ps 55:22)
Recap
- Accept the storm – Go along with the storm instead of denying or fighting against it
- Stay close to God – stay close to God in prayer, meditation, and Bible reading for His protection
- Be prepared for the worst – accept God’s will in the situation
- Reinforce yourself with God’s Word to avoid falling apart
- Slow down and turn to God – slow down your life, emotions, and mind so you can turn toward God for help to avoid a disaster
- Gid rid of the things weighing you down making you sink – sin, anxiety, burdens
Think about it
Did you learn anything new about how to handle storms in life?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 