We finally gave up! January 13, 2008
Posted by Han in : Life's Challenge , trackbackWhen neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. Acts 27:20
Rains were pouring like nobody’s business. The storm was violent. The seas were getting rougher and rougher. The ship was about to sink. Paul with some other prisoners was onboard sailing to Rome. They had tried many different ways to prevent the ship from sinking but to no avail.
The sentiments of the people onboard were bad and negative but who can blame them because the chances of surviving were very very slim. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, they finally gave up all hope of being saved. They finally gave up….
Imagine if you are onboard…what is the chances of surviving? Practically none! Well, you may not be in that ship but perhaps you are experiencing the worst financial crisis of your lifetime. With the current global economy crisis, your investment may be affected; your business may be near bankruptcy, you may lose millions of dollars and you may be reduced to nothing!
Your marriage may be hinting the rock. You may be on the verge of separation and divorce. Your spouse is seeing someone else. You have been married for many years but this time it seems that nothing can be done. There seems to be no way of reconciliation.
Or maybe, you have been diagnosed with incurable disease and were given months to live. You are losing sleep, losing weight, losing appetite and losing everything! You have made countless of trip to the hospital and swallowing bags of medicine pills and enduring the painful needle.
Or you are addicted to drugs and pornography and you find no way of kicking the habits. You are trying, indeed trying very hard but after sometime it’s coming back. You find it hard to destroy that habit. It’s affecting your life, your loved one, your career and your future.
Coming back, did Paul survive the storm? Did the people onboard die? Let’s take a look in the following verses.
Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 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 27:23-26
I believe you can ride above the waves and storms of your life. God is faithful. He will carry you through. An angel of the God spoke to Paul telling him not to be afraid, you must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.
In the midst of crisis, how can turn your crisis into opportunity? How can you convert your “giving up” into “trusting God”? How can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?
First and foremost, I believe you need a WORD from God. Instead of searching for a solution, why not spend some time to pray and ask God. I believe God can change your circumstances. One word of God can change everything. Your sinking ship will survive the storm.
Next, what you need is COURAGE? Be bold and courageous. Face the problem with great courage and never give-up. Never play the blame game. Do not blame it on the system, the people, the government and your loved one. Face the problem with great courage. Do not give excuse saying if you were so and so, if you have this amount of money or if you were given such opportunity. Just stop giving excuse. Face the problem with great courage.
Lastly, you must have FAITH in God. Can you believe God can save your life? Can you believe can carry you through the storm? Can you believe the red sea will be opened for you? Can you believe God will provide in your wilderness? Can you believe God can heal? Can you believe God can resurrect the dead? Can you believe God can do the impossible? Can you believe? Can you believe?
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Have faith in God, do not doubt! If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,” ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Therefore what you need is only the size of a mustard seed, very small. A little bit of faith is what you need to ride through your crisis. Very quickly the situation will change. God will take care of you. Do not give up. Put your trust in him. Have faith in God.
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?