An excerpt from one of my favorite Gospel songs says, “I’ve got to go through, in order to get to, where He wants me to be.” Often, such boldness is easier said than done, for I’ve had experiences that I didn’t want to go through. For example, a few years ago, my best friend and I were traveling home from Newport News, VA, and a torrential storm met us on the highway. The storm was so fierce that we couldn’t see more than 5-10 feet in front of us. Honestly, I wanted to park under a bridge and wait until the storm subsided.
What do you do when life presents an obstacle that stifles your determination? In the verses featured above, Paul was in a storm with 276 people, and he didn’t want to be in it. As a matter of fact, he advised the sailors not to travel through the storm (see Acts 27:9-10). Worse, the people with whom he traveled thought death was certain, and they were on the verge of giving up (see Acts 27:20). Before they could throw in the towel, Paul received confirmation from the Lord. God told him that they would make it through, and by faith, Paul encouraged his companions to go through the storm.
Paul encouraged his companions to travel through the storm, and they made it (see Acts 27:44). My best friend encouraged me to go through the storm, and we made it. Sometimes the only way to make it to your destiny is to go through the storm. Don’t let the storm you’re experiencing stop you. Go through it, knowing that God wouldn’t bring you to it if you couldn’t make it through it!
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God … (Isaiah 43:2-3, New Living Translation)