SURRENDER YOUR STORM

Storm Season | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: Acts 28:1-10 (ESV)

“For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and no small tempest lay on us. All hope of our being saved was at last abandoned,” (Acts 27:20, ESV).

Acts 28:1–10

28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

We don’t choose our storms; we choose what we do with them. 

Some storms come as a consequence 

Some storms come as a challenge 

Some storms come to change us. 

Every storm contains an opportunity

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

What can God do with my storm if I surrender it to Him?

Though the storm is not good, God can use it for good. God does not waste surrendered storms!

1. SURRENDER YOUR PLANS BUT NOT YOUR PURPOSE

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” Acts 27:22–26 (ESV)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Sovereignty means God reigns supreme over all things.

God’s sovereignty means that even when life feels out of control, God is still on the throne, God is still at work, and God is still able to accomplish His purpose.

The storm was not good, but God was still good. 

2. STOP CURSING YOUR STORM AND START CHANGING YOUR MIND ABOUT IT.

“But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds” (Acts 28:6, ESV)

They were interpreting Paul’s story through the circumstances.

Your interpretation of the storm will determine how you move through the storm.

Paul shows us how.

V5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

– He shook it off.

– He suffered no harm.

Stop waiting for ideal circumstances before you become useful again.

3. LOOK FOR THE DESTINATION IN THE DETOUR.

“It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.” (Acts 28:8, ESV)

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

What can God do with this storm if I give it to Him?

God does not waste surrendered storms.