So having heard Paul’s charge to be encouraged in Acts 27:21-25, the people on the ship now have a choice whether to listen to the guy who has an amazing confidence in the midst of this great and prolonged danger OR they can remain dejected, just sitting there with no reason to get up because all hope is lost.
Generally speaking, that is often our choice as well when difficulty arises: Move forward in faith, taking heed to God’s word OR allow our hearts to run wild with despairing and self-pitying thoughts.
So as you compare your own faith with Paul’s steadfast belief in God against all odds, how quickly do you abandon trust in God when a circumstance seems hopeless? Additionally, is your faith strong enough to stand on its own, even when everyone around you loses heart? Or does fear crowd out the truth and dictate your thoughts and actions? There are many passages throughout Scripture which prescribe the recipe for defeating fear, but here are just a couple of OT references—Deut. 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Ps. 118:5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?