A Sinking Ship

"'Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.' He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety."
Acts 27:34,44&45

These scriptures are taken from the story of the apostle Paul being shipwrecked. There were hundreds of men on board the ship. The storm was so great that the ship was literally torn apart as it became lodged on a sand bar near the island of Malta. God had shown Paul that not one man would be harmed if they did as he told them. So Paul instructed them to eat some food to gain strength for the swim to shore. He told them to stay with the ship as long as possible and then get to shore. In this way, every man was saved and the promise of the Lord was fulfilled.
    We face shipwrecks as well. It may not be a physical ship, but circumstances sometimes feel like we are going down. I think some of the things Paul shared with the men on his ship apply to us as well. It is important to take care of ourselves when we face difficulties. The men on Paul's ship hadn't eaten for fourteen days because they were so fearful of the circumstance. Often, we neglect our physical needs because we worry about the situation we find ourselves in. It may sound simple, but we are spiritual as well as physical beings. We must care for both.
    The most important part of the story is this: We will be saved. Even if it looks like the most horrific situation we have ever faced, we will be victorious in the end. Let me encourage with that truth today. It is so difficult to see beyond the circumstances we find ourselves in. We cannot see it from God's point of view. But everything that God does in our lives is for our good. He is not bent on destroying us. Just as Paul was promised that no one would be harmed, so I can assure you that none of us will be harmed in our shipwrecks. Our God loves us and is intimately involved in the circumstance. Don't give in to fear, worry or failure. The shipwreck is only a transition to a new place. We will arrive there safely.
    Whatever your shipwreck looks like, do not fear. God has a purpose that far outweighs any earthly thing. It may not be easy, but be assured of the result. God will be glorified and you will be changed for his purpose in your life. The men on Paul's ship had to work to get to shore and they spent some time on the island before they could move on. But they were saved. Their lives continued without harm. So will yours. The swim may not be easy and the island may be lonely for a time, but it is a place of safety where you will be covered by God's hand. Take heart! A new adventure awaits. There is so much more to your life than one shipwreck!