Navigating the Storms of Life – Outline 2

Navigating the Storms of Life – Outline 2

I. Review

A. The storms of life come to us all

1. John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.”

2. None of us are exempt from the storms, but there are things we can do to prepare
for and respond to them that will protect us and help us navigate them safely.

3. Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him
out of them all.”

4. God made a way for us to navigate through every storm of life.

5. It is helpful to know what kind of storm you are dealing with so that you can apply
the correct scriptural remedy to navigate it successfully.

B. Four categories of storms

1. Storms of our own making

2. Storms caused by others

3. Attacks of the Enemy against the will of God

4. Inward storms

C. Storms of our own making

1. Example: Jonah’s storm

2. These types of storms can be caused by ignorance, foolish decisions, or outright
rebellion.

3. Jonah got into his storm because of disobedience.

4. He got out of his storm through prayer, calling on the mercy of God, repentance, and
consecration to the will of God.

II. Storms caused by others

A. Paul’s storm

1. While Jonah’s storm came because of his own disobedience, Paul’s storm came
because of other people’s disobedience.

2. Have you ever been negatively affected because of the wrong choices and actions of
others?
a. Example: Involuntary church plant and termination from ministry assignment

3. These storms are very difficult to navigate on an emotional level because you cannot
control the actions and decisions of others.

4. Acts 21-26 give the account of the Jews’ attempt to kill Paul, their bringing false
accusations and lying witnesses against him, a group of men taking vows to kill him,
Governors Felix and Festus and King Agrippa refusing to free him, and Paul’s having
to appeal to go to Caesar’s judgment seat.

5. Acts 27:9-14 – The centurion, the helmsman of the ship, and the owner of the ship
all refused to listen to Paul’s warning.

a. Paul did not have the authority to make the decision in this situation, the
majority won out, and they encountered a violent storm that went on for two
weeks (Acts 27:27)!

b. I have been through two hurricanes that lasted five hours, and they seemed like
a lifetime—like they would never end.

6. Acts 27:20-26 – Paul was factual, but not vindictive, and declared God’s promise of
deliverance with no fatalities, though with a hard landing

7. Acts 27:33-44 – Paul encouraged them and gave thanks—then they had a shipwreck
and all escaped safely to land, just as Paul prophesied!

8. Acts 28:1-5 – After all this, a snake came out of the fire and fastened on Paul’s hand
(bit him).

a. “After all I’ve gone through, Lord, and now this. I just can’t take one more
negative (bad) thing happening to me.”

b. Was this Paul’s response?

c. No, he just shook the beast off into the fire and walked on.

d. Then later they had a healing revival on the island (Acts 28:9).

e. Anytime the Enemy attacks you, make him pay through signs, wonders, miracles,
and new births.

9. Paul’s storm was caused by the disobedience of others.

a. Some situations you are in, when others make bad decisions, you have no
control.

b. Other situations and relationships where others are making bad decisions that
affect you and others, you can control by establishing boundaries in that
relationship you do not allow them to violate.

10. Paul got out of his storm by:

a. Staying close to God (not angry at God)

b. Embracing God’s promises

c. Considering others instead of blaming others

d. Forgiving those who caused his storm

e. Shaking the beast off into the fire!

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Notice how the evnts followed the actions and decisions  of the peopl! - Blogger