Let's look at one example in the Scripture how someone faced a crisis, and yet he has learned how to be of good cheer!
In Acts chapter 27, the writer of the Book of Acts, Luke, wrote an account of how Paul and several other prisoners set sail for Italy. Paul needed to go to Rome to appeal to Caesar, because certain Jewish leaders from Jerusalem made serious accusations against him, accusing him of a crime against the Jewish laws, against the temple of God, and even against the Roman government.
Several days into the journey, the ship that Paul was in struggled with great difficulty due to the adverse weather condition. The weather had become dangerous for sea travel because it was late in the fall (autumn time), and Paul then spoke to the ship's officers, "I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on - shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well." However, the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship's captain and the owner, rather than to Paul.
You see, as winter approached, the weather became more dangerous for sailing. Paul, knowing the season and conditions at that time, and with the wisdom that he received from the Lord, advised them not to go on, lest there may be shipwreck, loss of cargo, and even danger to their lives. But the captain and the owner of the ship didn't heed what Paul said. Apparently, it's not to their advantage to not to continue in this journey, due to the loss of time, because to them, time is money. That's probably what they were thinking in their minds. So, in spite of Paul's warning, the captain of the ship continued on the journey.
True enough to what Paul had warned, the weather later changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength blew their ship further and further to the open sea. As gale-force winds battered the ship, the crew even had to throw the cargo overboard in order to save the ship from sinking!
Luke wrote an account how this terrible storm raged for many days, and even blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. In other words, all these crew in the ship were at their wits' end. They were thinking they're all going to die!
Acts 27:21 in fact says no one in the ship had eaten for a long time, probably because they were too frightened, or they were so seasick (due to the high waves). Of course, they were worried and anxious, thinking that the ship's going to sink!
But look at what Paul said in Acts 27:22 (KJV), "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer! For there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship."
Those in the ship must have thought Paul was going crazy at that time! How could he say, 'Be of good cheer' when all hope seemed lost and they're all going to die? But one thing they didn't realize is this: They didn't know that Paul was a man who know his God. Paul was a man who know what his God can do, even against all odds. In fact, Paul even had an encounter with an angel who encouraged him, and in turn, Paul encouraged others on board!
So, in the midst of all these, Paul became like a light to all of them, even though he was only a prisoner on board. His words became the beacon. His words became the source of encouragement. His words brought hope to all on board in the midst of the tempest. He even encouraged them to eat something, and they did. At that point of time, Paul became the 'de facto leader' on board, even though he was just a prisoner waiting for trial!
Let's wrap up Acts chapter 27 now. One fine morning, as they persevered and hung on to what Paul had said, they finally saw a bay with a beach! That's good news of course! Eventually, all 276 persons on board the ship escaped to safety (in the island called Malta), and not even one life was lost, just as what Paul had declared and prophesied! Hallelujah!
Beloved of God, no matter what crisis you may be going through at the moment, be encouraged that He is still God, and He will know how to make a way for you, even against all odds. Nothing is impossible to Him. I declare that your darkest night is behind you, and a new dawn has begun for your life. Amen!
