When you see trouble coming and you warn somebody, how do you react when they ignore you?
And then how do you react when your warning was proven valid and a storm of trouble is growing in one way or another?
There is frustration all around at such times.
The ignored person is naturally tempted to shout “I told you so” and perhaps make other disparaging remarks about the decision-makers.
The neglectful person is naturally tempted to look for others to blame or simply say he or she did nothing wrong.
What matters in such storms is not holding a trial as to who is guilty but instead focusing on getting through it to a more settled place.
We’ve all experienced this scenario in relationships, with the health status of ourselves or relatives or friends, with financial calamities or with vocational crises.
At such times, the best thing to do is pray and encourage.
That’s what the Apostle Paul did in Acts 27 in the midst of a lengthy, terrible storm battering a ship upon which he and 273 other men were riding.
Paul, a prisoner enroute to Rome to appear before Caesar, warned those in charge of the ship before leaving port, telling them to sail with winter approaching was unwise.
He was ignored.
And all hell broke loose meteorogically.
You’ll want to read Acts 27 here when you get a chance.
Significantly, Paul didn’t start pointing fingers and wagging his tongue when he was proven right. He started praying and encouraging.
It took two weeks before Paul’s prayers were answered — but they were.
Nobody died.
The Gospel was exalted, actually, because of the storm.
People were saved as a by-product of the storm.
Here’s the point — when people ignore your wisdom, don’t accuse.
Instead, pray.
When your warning is borne out by events, don’t insult.
Instead, pray.
And encourage.
Wagging tongues and fingers don’t stop storms and don’t inspire people to do better.
And they certainly don’t promote the Gospel.
Prayer and encouragement do.
When people ignore your warnings, pray. Encourage.
Before and during the storm.
They just might start praying with you after the storm.
And that will be good for the Gospel.
As always, I love you
Martin
