When Stress Gets Tough
Acts 27:1-44
June 25, 2011
Morning Message
Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. ~Natalie Goldberg, Wild Mind
How many of you deal with some form of stress? Stress is one of the factors of life that we all deal with. Stress comes at us from a variety of directions and a variety of sources. There is no way to remove all of the stress factors from daily living. Stress has become one of the leading causes of physical and emotional breakdown. Stress can create the possibility for physical ailments such as heart problems, strokes and breathing issues. Stress can lead to emotional issues such as anxiety attacks, emotional breaks and intestinal problems.
WebMD sites some of the physical complications of stress
Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
Definition of stress
a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.
physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension
a situation, occurrence, or factor causing this
Biblical Examples of stress
Abraham had an open confrontation with Lot
Moses was threatened to be stoned by the Israelites
David was forced to flee Jerusalem by an uprising led by his son Absalom
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo were thrown into the furnace
The disciples argued over who was the greatest
The failure of appropriately dealing with stress can be costly. Does the Bible give us a manner to help deal with stress and handle the onslaught of daily living? This morning we are going to examine one of the most stress filled times in the life of the Apostle Paul. If you have your Bibles with you, please open them to Acts 27. We are going to look at different parts of the entire chapter this morning.
Five lessons about stress from the Paul’s storm
Description of the storm
Luke describes this storm vividly with the word eurokludon. The Greek word that Luke uses to record this storm is unique. This is one of the only places in scripture that the word is used. Eurokludon is a compound word rooted in euro which means east wind and kludon which means to billow against, a violent agitation of the sea. Luke uses the same word to describe the storm that Jesus calms in Luke chapter 8. James also uses the word to describe how doubt impacts the lives of believers being driven like waves in the sea.
No matter how this storm is explored, it is massive, major and chaotic. The storm would have consisted of raging winds, pounding rain, and high waves. The impression that Luke gives is that the ship was beyond their ability to control. Some of the most stressful situations in life are much like this massive storm. They come from nowhere, strike hard and fast, leaving us feeling lost. The emotional turmoil from dealing with the rage of economic winds can be immense. The feeling of hopelessness pounds emotionally. The relentless nature of ongoing stress wears us down and takes a heavy toll.
Stress is often created in the grind of daily living (6-9)
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them,
Moving prisoners over great distances usually required sea travel. While there were many different land routes that led to Rome, the long journey would take months. There was a desire to get Paul and the other prisoners to Rome as quickly as possible. The problem was simple; time was growing short for safely navigating the turbulent waters of the Mediterranean. Winter was the worst possible time to travel on the sea and they were swiftly approaching turbulent times.
As Luke records the events that unfold here, one theme seems to be continually present – slow going. Notice the words that Luke uses: sailed slowly, with difficulty, wind did not permit us, and when considerable time had passed. The ship is not making any time and time was something that they could not spare. The weather was already getting difficult for sea travel but the desire to get the prisoners to Rome overruled caution. The ship was having great difficulty making any time heading for Rome. There was going to be no way of reaching Rome before winter. Instead of staying in the port the crew takes the risk of heading to Phoenix.
Stress is accelerated and elevated by poor decisions (10-12)
10 "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.
The Roman centurion is pushing to make it further than is wise. The pilot and the owner of the ship are pursuing a hefty profit and that the gain was worth the risk. Paul speaks from either his experience as a traveler or a warning from God but is not heard.
Paul tries to persuade the centurion, the captain and the owner of the ship to stay in Fair Havens. The decision was out of Paul’s hands and was made against his recommendations. Many times the decisions that impact us are out of our hands. We pay the price for someone else’s bad decision and it creates stress within our lives.
Stress calls for courage and encouragement (20-26)
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ’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.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."
There was no choice but to run the ship aground. The problem was finding the right place. After being blown so far off course the sailors had no idea where they were or what they might encounter. Remember the ship was forced in a different direction by the storm and was nowhere near their intended destination.
Fear has gripped the sailors, crew and passengers on the ship. Those on board had given up all hope of being spared. Stress has a way of making bad situations look even worse. Paul calls for the men to not give up but to be encouraged because God was going to save them.
When people have little hope to hold onto, we must be even more willing to spread encouragement.
Stress can be a major factor even when doing the right things (40-41)
40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But 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.
Paul had experienced ongoing stress of the storm for 14 days. The ship was so tossed and misdirected by the storm that it was at least 400 miles off course. Some suggest that the storm caused the ship to be blown close to 800 miles off course.
Stress can lead to continued terrible decisions (42-43)
42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 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. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.
How did Paul cope with stress?
Paul placed his trust completely in God
Paul acted when he needed to act
Paul was willing to let go of control
