| Photo by Shashank-Sahay on Unsplash
How many know that storms have a purpose in our spiritual life? Storms will get our attention, cause us to change direction, or prompt us to make decisions in our lives. Storms can cause us to shelter in place. Storms can be a faith builder, a prayer builder, and a trust builder in our lives, spiritually!
In Acts 27, Paul is on his way with the other prisoners to Rome to stand trial. They are on a ship at sea, and we see that a storm comes up.
Acts 27: 13-15 tells us, “When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore. But the weather CHANGED ABRUPTLY, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) blew across the island, blowing them out to sea. The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.”
How quickly storms can change. Weathermen can predict the weather, but they can get it wrong because the weather can change abruptly. That is the same way in life and in our spiritual lives. One minute things are great in life, and then everything can change in a moment.
How many of us are like the sailors? We think we can make it on our own. We may think we are in control when there is just a light wind, but we would realize we could not handle this storm’s size. Life has a way of showing us how little control we really have. Life can abruptly change, and we realize we need the help of the Lord!
Storms will come! Storms will be in varied intensities, and we need to know what to do in the storms of life! Turn to the Lord, for He is with us in the storms that we are facing.
Psalm 46: 1-2 tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.”
Today, if you are in a storm, turn to God, who is your help in the trouble (storms of life).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
