Take Courage So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island." Acts 27:25
In Acts 27 Paul was being transported to Rome so that Caesar could hear his appeal, but the transport ship was caught in a storm that raged for two weeks. The sailors tried everything they knew to weather the storm; Sailing in different directions, tossing cargo overboard, they even considered abandoning ship! Yet in the middle of that storm, we see the Apostle Paul being the voice of calm and reason to the captain and the crew. An angel had appeared to Paul and informed him that he would indeed make it to Rome, and that there would be a shipwreck, yet all of the crew and passengers would survive.
Question: Why did God allow Paul to be shipwrecked in the first place? Why didn't didn't God simply calm the storm?
This of course leads to another question: Why does God allow storms into our lives? I believe there are at least three reasons that God allow's storms in our lives:
#1 Storms strengthen us
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
We'll never experience the strengthening of God unless we are forced into a situation where His strength is the only thing that will bring us through the storm. Then, having gone through that storm in the strength of the Lord, we'll be prepared for the next storm that will inevitably come. You see, God knows our future, and every storm He allows us to go through is a preparation for something that's in our future. Nothing is wasted.
#2 Storms refine us
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7
A storm has an interesting impact on people: It reveals what is truly important. When that crew tossed the cargo overboard, it was clear that their lives were more important to them than the cargo! One day we're getting all worked up because the person at the drive-through window messed up our order, but after a storm blows through our life, we have a new perspective on what is truly important to us.
#3 Storms teach us to trust God
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Is 43:23
It's easy to say "I trust God" when everything's going well. It's when the storm comes that we have to put that trust into action. God promises us that when the storm comes, when the waters rise, when the fire burns hot, that He will be with us! He will lift our head above the water, He will cover us from the flames!
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
Pastor Clay | 
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