EXCERPT
STORM PROOF CAROL MCLEOD | CAROLMCLEODMINISTRIES.COM
MOST OF US ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE DEBILITATING CONDITIONS THAT ARE ENCOUNTERED DURING A STORM IN LIFE. From blinding health issues to tornadic relationships to Category 5 financial conditions, a storm has the capacity to blow an unsuspecting sailor tragically off course. Such was the situation in which Paul found himself in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea in Acts 27.
courage” one time in his powerful soliloquy, but he repeated it in verse 25: “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.” Hidden in Paul’s words is a four-word phrase that holds the key to courageous living: “For I believe God.”
Can you even imagine what Paul and the other inhabitants of this sailing vessel were facing? Some of them had probably tethered themselves to anything stable in order to prevent being washed overboard.
You will never embrace the potent attribute of courage if you don’t first begin by believing God. When your blood pressure is rising, let your faith take over and declare loudly enough for the winds and waves and demons in hell to hear, “I believe God!” In that moment of declaration, fear will take a back seat to courage. Courage will be at the helm of your ship and will guide you through the fiercest onslaught that life can imagine.
Almost everyone on the ship had lost all hope this storm would ever end. Even if it did, would they live to tell about it?
• Courage is the dynamic choice to believe God is always good and He will, indeed, have the final say in every storm.
In the middle of this dark and desperate scene, Paul stood up to address everyone. I can picture him covered in sticky salt water as he began a sermon that has not lost its power to instill hope during our personal storms!
• Courage is the conviction that He is our shelter and “a very present help in trouble.”
Paul told these frightened and waterlogged individuals, “Keep up your courage” (Acts 27:22, NASB). Even though he was a prisoner, Paul became an admiral and cheerleader to the group of weary voyagers as he spoke the language of hope. The apostle’s words echo through history as he charges believers in Jesus to “keep up our courage” — even when we are experiencing the worst storm of our lives! The next time you are in a storm, become the voice of hope to those around you. Quit talking about the storm and start speaking about your God. Humanity and history have no idea how much they owe to the presence of righteous men and women in the middle of devastating circumstances. Paul not only urged this admonition to “Keep up your
• Courage is the resolute certainty He will never leave you or forsake you. • Courage is tying yourself to the promises of God and never letting go of them! • Courage is steering your mind away from worry and choosing to walk by bold faith, unswayed by what you see in the natural. Men and women in every generation have had to make the choice to be brave when their defenses were down and their very worlds were imploding. We are the children of God, and He has given us His Holy Spirit so that we might choose to be brave even in the fiercest storm — even when we find ourselves “between the devil and the deep Red Sea.” Adapted from Storm Proof. Get your copy at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon or carolmcleodministries.com.
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