Trusting God Even in the Storm

LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. Psalm 38:21-22 NIV

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale   a tale of a fateful trip,   that started from this tropic port,   aboard this tiny ship.   The mate was a mighty sailin’ man,   the Skipper brave and sure,   five passengers set sail that day,   for a three hour tour,   a three hour tour…  (Gilligan’s Theme Song Lyrics. Lyric Advisor. https://youtu.be/ZdClvI7eBD0?si=t_ieRvuIUp3AwWYe

It may not rank among the most famous shipwrecks, but who could ever forget the SS Minnow, or at least its theme song! You do have to be a certain age to remember Gilligan’s Island, or at least to love classic comedy on select streaming networks. The shipwreck became a hilarious adventure for the seven survivors.

Real-life shipwrecks are anything but hilarious. The crashing, powerful, and unrelenting waves against the hulls of gigantic ocean ships have ravaged many vessels throughout seafarers’ history. Many dreams of adventure and wealth were dashed as they sank to their watery death, unable to withstand the crushing force of the waves.

It is impossible to verify, but estimates suggest there have been over 3 million shipwrecks worldwide throughout history (UNESCO). The unsinkable Titanic did not survive her maiden voyage; the Flor de la Mar was carried to the bottom of the ocean, taking the Sultan of Malacca’s riches with it. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, immortalized by Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad, could not withstand the hurricane-force winds and high waves and sank in the Great Lakes.

Sea captains set sail knowing they may encounter storms and even catastrophe. Yet they sail! That’s the way we live. We know storms are out there, but we keep moving forward. We do not welcome the storms that come, but what if we considered that God can use our storms to bring us to the place where He intended us to arrive?

Luke records the events of a destructive shipwreck in Acts 27 and 28. Paul and a group of other prisoners were put on a ship heading to Rome. However, the ship battled strong winds and could only make it partway. Undeterred, the Centurion found another ship heading to Rome, and again it didn’t take long for problems to overtake them. A relentless storm struck, and Luke records, “The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along” (Acts 27:15).

Paul was aboard a ship bound for Rome, but God used him during the storm to bring encouragement and hope to people facing disaster. “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:23-24). Paul knew God, but he did not know the final plan.

The late Atlanta pastor Charles Stanley once wrote, “We can make plans, and we are wise to do so, but our plans must always be the result of prayer and made with total flexibility so that if this is not what God desires for us to do, we will be quick to alter our course.”

Paul and the others came through the storm, though the ship was destroyed. They all lived. The unknown island was Malta. Paul did what he always did, living out his faith by preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. God used a storm to blow Paul (and the others) to a place where he was needed.

Malta became one of the first Roman colonies to convert to Christianity, leaving a legacy of faith among the people that lives on. 2000 years later, one of the island’s major public holidays is “The Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck” on February 10.

Grammy Award-winning songwriter/singer, Bible teacher, and worship leader Laura Story, in her book “When God Doesn’t Fix It,” shares how God used an unwanted storm in her life to bring her to where He intended her to be. Laura and her new husband, Martin, had dreams, made plans, and envisioned a future for their life together. That was until a storm hit, sending them reeling. Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor that would alter all their dreams and plans but would evidently redefine their desires.

“We have to come to a point where we say, ‘I don’t know why my life looks this way. But I don’t have to understand why. It’s enough for me to believe that God has a plan and that he has promised he will never leave or forsake me, and he will be by my side through every trial I face.” I know this counters everything we think we want, but there is freedom in not having all of the answers—especially the answer to why.”

Sometimes God answers our prayers the way we thought He should, but more often He answers them in the way that will help us most. Martin survived the surgeries but was left with disabilities that altered life as they knew it. Yet through it all, they learned what it was like to trust God.

“I pray every day that God would completely heal my husband. If you could overhear my prayers, they’d sound something like this: Good morning, God. Is today the day you’re going to heal Martin? Because if you heal him, I promise to give you all the glory. Every time I pray that prayer, I feel as if God responds in the same way in my heart: I know, Laura. I know you will. But what if the healing is a process?  What if it’s going to be a long road that requires more sleepless nights than you’ve ever imagined? Or what if it requires more faith than you ever thought you had?  Will you still give me all the glory?”

Will you let God take your storm and let it blow you to where He intends for you to arrive? “Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing comes through tears?” (from Laura Story song, Blessings)

God is great!