If there is one thing for certain in this life, there will always be a barrage of relentless storms. Whether that be illness, financial distress, problems, matters of the heart, or the loss of someone precious to you. Sometimes life seems unbearable as our heart fills with anxiety or even lays shattered at our own feet. How often I have been there and how quickly I fall back into that dark abyss when the relentless storms of life keep raging around me. So, who am I to tell you the 5 keys of surviving? Ah, precisely, I have been there and have learned how to recalibrate my heart quickly. Or when my heart will not recalibrate, how to ride through the relentless storms of life, trusting in a Holy, Sovereign God who knows what is best for me. Even if the relentless storms of life are what brings the good.
Paul had just spent two years in the house of Felix, separated from the ones he loved. Despite his ministry to Felix and to King Agrippa neither came to a saving knowledge of Christ. For a man whose heart beat for the lost, this must have broke his heart. Furthermore, the Jewish leaders with hearts hardened toward the truth of God sending the Messiah must have also caused great grief for Paul. He had more than enough time to reflect those two years of all the relentless storms of life he had battled for the name of Christ. Paul knew the truth of the gospel. He knew not all would be saved and there would be relentless storms. However, I cannot believe that his human heart did not lay shattered at times at the foot of the cross. Also, he had time to reflect about his own failures in life.
Relentless Storms
In Acts 27, the ship sets sail to take Paul to Rome to go before Caesar. The chapter details their journey with even random acts of kindness that the guard gave to Paul, allowing him to see his friends along the way. Then, there came a time of warning. Paul told them, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.” (Acts 27:10). We are not told this was a revelation given Paul, but could it be that gut feeling of anxiety which forewarned him (which often is the Holy Spirit’s stirring within us to reconsider a thought or action). But the centurion headed the advice of the ship’s captain and they boarded anyway.
Ah, but they did get caught in relentless storms. They were forced to throw the cargo and even the boats engines overboard, hoping to be saved.
But as Luke wrote, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and a violent storm continued to batter us, we finally abandoned all hope of being saved.” (Acts 27:20 NET).
Then, Paul stood up and said, “You should have listened to me; but now I have good news. Although you will lose the ship and all its goods, no man will die, for the angel of God assured me of this. I must go before Caesar. And all who are sailing with me will have their life spared because of God’s grace.”
That is what happened! Then while on the island they were forced to retreat to, Paul lived despite being bitten by a poisonous serpent. Then he healed an islander’s father. No doubt he made an impact for Christ on this island and the Centurion Guard.
5 Keys to Surviving Relentless Storms of Life
-
Never forget,
God is Sovereign (Hebrews 11:6) and His plans for you are always working together for your good (Romans 8:28). He is step by step transforming your heart into the likeness of Jesus where the fruit of the Spirit in you are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
-
God’s Promises are Always True.
Remember that Jesus came to Paul while still with Felix and told him of his going to Rome? Well, Paul remembered that amid the relentless storm at sea; because an angel reminded him and brought him hope that all the rest were saved because of him. For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:30).
-
In every storm, God has a plan.
The storms served to bring Paul to a place where he could witness. Furthermore, what a testimony to the Centurion guarding him and every man on the ship. Although, we may never know how many come to know Christ because of our testimony of faith, hope and joy amid relentless storms, God does know. He uses our relentless storms to bring Him glory and to lead others to a saving knowledge of Him.
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel: The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ (Philippians 1:12-13 NET).
-
Never ever forget,
The relentless storms of this life are but a moment in time compared to eternity. Therefore, there is no suffering too great to bear for the salvation of one soul. Jesus set that example for us. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and … run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2).
-
There is Purpose for the Storm
All the relentless storms of this life serve to bring us closer to His heart. We have a high priest who gave His life to pay the price for our salvation. He loves us with an unconditional love. There at His throne of grace we can come boldly in the time of need and he will provide us with the grace we need each second of every moment of every hour. The grace past which saved us, the grace needed for this moment and the future grace which will carry us all the way home to Him. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
So that is how we survive the relentless storms of life. Our life is anchored in Him.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
PREVIOUSLY
or from 2015
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.
Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there
Furthermore for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
Photo by Devin Kleu on Unsplash