For many of us the year “2020” brought numerous trials, hardships, and losses. We can all agree it is a blessing to see the year behind us. As I move and look forward with prayer and hope for a better year ahead of us, l will try to learn from past experiences.
With each year that passes, I reflect and acknowledge the faithfulness of God. I am careful to give Him thanks for all He has done and provided throughout the year. I also try to be mindful of the shortcomings I had. Then I ask God to help me learn from each of them. The same is true with those situations which tested my faith.
It’s also a good opportunity to step back and look at the whole picture. To view hardships and trials with a different perspective as the year unfolded.
In the Bible, The Apostle Paul was called by God to be a witness for Jesus to the Gentiles, (a person who is not Jewish.) Paul traveled from place to place telling the account of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, purpose and personal encounter with Jesus, to the people.
After some time, God told Paul He would be sending him to Rome so he could witness to the officials and leaders of that country. However, God used the false accusations from the Jewish religious leaders, imprisonment, and the hardships of Paul to get him there.
The Storm
In Acts 27 it tells the story of the Apostle Paul as a prisoner on an Alexandrian ship, sailing to Rome. They encountered a storm called the Northeaster, which caused all the men on board to lose everything. After weeks in these conditions they became terrified and hadn’t eaten for days.
Simultaneously in the midst of the storm God spoke to Paul by sending an angel to him at night saying; “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.”
Unfortunately, the testing of their faith wasn’t over yet. The Bible says;
“The ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.”
Reaching the Island of Malta
Paul’s detour to Rome continues in chapter 28 when they reach the island, it says; “Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.”
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”
Perception of Life’s Hardships
Many times we struggle as humans to look at our hardships and fail to see the good in them. Just as the people of Malta were perceiving the storm at sea Paul had just gone through, and the bite on the hand from the poisonous snake. We too view our hardships as something negative. As if we are being punished for something we did, or didn’t do.
Review and Reason for Paul’s journey
However, let’s use the experiences of Paul as an example to view hardships and trials from a different perspective. If Paul wasn’t falsely accused and arrested; he wouldn’t have appealed to Cesar. This in turn, wouldn’t have got him to Rome to witness to numerous people.
If Paul didn’t go through the storm while on his way, he wouldn’t have gone to the island of Malta. If he didn’t make it to the island he wouldn’t have gotten bit by the snake. If not bitten by the snake, the people wouldn’t have seen God’s protective power, and recognized the gift of God on Paul’s life.
If Paul didn’t find favor with Publius the chief official of the island, he wouldn’t have been invited to his home where he healed his father. If the healing didn’t take place the rest of the sick on the island wouldn’t have been healed. And possibly could have died.
Paul’s journey is a beautiful display of the sovereignty and omniscience of God. Working on behalf of the people because of the love he has for them.
In our lives the outcome of our trials may not be so clear all the time, leaving us with more questions than answers. However, it is in those times we must trust in God all the more. We must believe in who He says He is. When we do, we will be able to feel His presence, and hear Him speak in the middle of our storm. We will be able to shake off the snake, and see His protective power. And after it all, He will show the world His Glory by using us to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Warm up with these soup recipes below:
Chicken Noodle Soup – Recipes and Benefits
