Thanksgiving in the Midst of a StormSample

BE OF GOOD CHEER

You may be going through a storm in your life today. You’re not alone. The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to be in a storm. In Acts 27 there is a story of him on a ship that went through a storm at seas for two solid weeks. (I feel seasick just reading about it!)

This storm was a hurricane. It went on for days and days without sun or stars. Even the veteran seamen were terrified after being slammed around and hurled about for so long. The Bible says that all hope was lost – they knew they were going to sink and die.

But suddenly, after days and days of this, Paul stood up and said, “Be of good cheer!” He had heard from God that their lives would be spared. Paul had hope where there was no hope! Because he had a word from God.

An angel delivered the word of the Lord to him. Listen, you and I can have hope where there is no hope, because we have the word of the Lord every time we open our Bible! It’s our anchor in a storm. It’s the answer to every trial, every heartache, every problem. When you’re in the midst of a storm, go to the Word, and start thanking God for your deliverance based on the promises you find there.

Just like it did for Paul, thanking God for His Word causes us TO get our eyes off the storm and onto His promises. It helps us to realize that something good is going to happen! Because faith comes by hearing, meditating on, remembering the promises in the Word (Romans 10:17).

When you look into God’s Word you find out that as a Christian, your covenant rights provide everything you need to win at life (Ephesians 3:1). You’re supposed to be healed, have your needs met, overcome the world, fulfill your purpose, and have peace that passes all understanding. That’s a lot to be thankful for!

In the midst of the storm, you can do like Paul did – declare that you believe God! When you’re full of faith and thanksgiving, you can see beyond the storm to coming out of it. You can be of good cheer!