Life doesn’t ask for permission before your troubles roll in. Maybe you’ve faced a diagnosis, a financial setback, or heartbreak that left you wondering where God is in all of it. In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul finds himself caught in a violent storm on his way to stand trial in Rome. His ship is battered, the crew is terrified, and hope seems lost.
Yet Paul doesn’t panic. Instead, his faith becomes the anchor for everyone on that ship—and his response teaches us how we can face our own storms.
In his recent message at Hope Worth Having, Pastor Mike Sanders shared powerful truths from this chapter in his series “What to Do When Trouble Comes.” These lessons don’t just tell us what Paul did—they show us what we can do when life hits hard.
1. Stay Close to God in the Storm
When trouble hits, many of us drift from God. We stop praying, we stop reading Scripture, and we start feeling like God has turned against us.
But Pastor Mike reminded us that’s the time to press in closer:
“The most important thing you can do is not to see God as an enemy, but to see Him as your refuge. Run to Jesus and look to Him when you are in trouble.”
Your storm doesn’t mean God has abandoned you—it’s an invitation to depend on Him more deeply.
Looking for hope in the middle of your own storm? Come worship with us this Sunday at The Open Door Church—you don’t have to face it alone.
2. Lift Up Others When You Feel Down
Even while chained as a prisoner, Paul was encouraging the crew and helping them hold on. He didn’t wallow in self‑pity; he lifted others up.
“In the midst of every challenging circumstance, our job is not to discourage others, but to be someone who is always encouraging.” – Pastor Mike
Sometimes the best way to heal your own heart is to help someone else.
Want to live that out? Find ways to serve with The Open Door Church—click here to connect with our ministries.
3. Listen to God’s Wisdom
When you’re overwhelmed, your emotions will tell you things that aren’t true. Fear lies. Anxiety twists reality.
That’s why Pastor Mike urged us to ground ourselves in God’s Word:
“Everything that you think and believe is not always true… but the most accurate and truthful thing in your life is God’s wisdom.”
Filtering your thoughts through Scripture keeps you steady when everything else feels shaky.
4. Believe God’s Promises
Paul reminded everyone on the ship that God had already promised they would survive—and Paul believed Him.
When you hold on to God’s promises, you find courage to keep moving forward, even when circumstances don’t change overnight.
Need a reminder of God’s promises? Join a Bible study at The Open Door Church—we’d love to walk through them with you.
5. Stay on Track
In Acts 27, some sailors were ready to bail out and swim to shore on their own. Paul told them, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
It’s a picture of our faith journey—when life gets hard, we’re tempted to drift off on our own. But Pastor Mike reminds us that staying faithful, patient, and flexible keeps us on track with what God is doing.
6. Serve Other People
Paul wasn’t just preaching; he was helping the crew eat after days of not eating. He was looking out for others in the middle of his own trial.
Serving doesn’t just bless others—it heals us, too.
7. Choose a Thankful Attitude
Paul prayed and gave thanks for bread in the middle of a storm. Gratitude shifts the atmosphere—not just for you, but for everyone around you.
“A thankful attitude affects other people,” Pastor Mike shared.
When you choose gratitude, you spread courage to those around you.
Are You in a Storm Right Now?
Pastor Mike closed his message with this reminder:
“You may not immediately see the results, but you know that God in heaven is standing up on His throne, and He is applauding every one of His servants, and He has not forgotten your good work on His behalf.”
If you’re walking through a storm, you don’t have to face it alone.
Join us at The Open Door Church this Sunday—we’d love to pray with you, encourage you, and walk beside you.
Listen to more messages like this on our Hope Worth Having broadcast.