I have been on a boat once. At Lake Powell. It was awesome. But at busier times on the lake, the water would be really choppy and not fun to ride on. I can't imagine what it's like trying to survive a storm on a boat like Paul did.
In Acts 27, Paul is on his way to Rome. He has been taken prisoner and they're traveling by boat. It's early winter, and Paul predicts that there will be a terrible storm. The owner of the ship is likely an experienced sailor, and he says that there's no chance of a storm, and even if there were, he probably thinks he could handle it. Plus, Paul was a prisoner, so they probably weren't too excited to listen to his opinion. So they set sail anyways.
Cue Acts 27:15
"And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive."
The wind was so strong that the sailors could hardly control the boat. Paul was right, and it would almost cost them their lives. Verse 18-19:
"And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship. And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship."
The storm is so fierce, the sailors start throwing supplies overboard for survival. Not just the extra stuff, but the tackling as well! There have been some storms in my life, and I'm sure you've had some as well. During those times, the only way we can really survive is to throw out the extra cargo. Get back to the basics of the gospel and our Savior. Focus on those to keep you steady.
We should also follow the counsel that our church leaders give us. If we are choosing the right and leaning on the Savior, even during the hard times, we will not be forgotten. We will be preserved and live to see another sunny day.
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