Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when the storms of life assail you

When You Encounter Euroclydon
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“But not long after, a tempestuous headwind arose, called Euroclydon.”

—Acts 27:14 (NKJV)

There is a story in the New Testament book of Acts that tells of a storm called Euroclydon. In the Greek language, Euroclydon is a compound word joining “Euros”, meaning “East wind” and “kluzo” which according to Wikipedia, means “to billow” or I’d say to “surge, rage, or vigorously agitate”. This was what in modern terms is called a “Nor’easter” or a northeastern storm.

In this Bible story found in the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul was being transported by ship to Rome to be tried for treason and sedition. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ and his forceful preaching of the Kingdom of righteousness, he was considered to be a danger to the Roman empire.

There were 276 people aboard the ship. After being caught in the Euroclydon, they were adrift on the stormy sea for 14 days. Paul assured them that the storm would pass and they all would survive. Ultimately, the ship was wrecked and torn apart by the raging sea, but all aboard survived and were washed ashore on the island of Malta. I have been to Malta, and I have endured vicious storms at sea while stationed aboard U.S. Navy ships. Though tossed about and occasionally suffering damage from the waves that assaulted our ship, the storms eventually ended, and we always reached our next destinations.

The Bible story above is an object lesson for when storms rage into our lives. When they do, it disrupts normalcy, threatening our sanity, security and destiny. However, when we rest confidently in God’s plans and provisions for us, these storms will also pass. We will survive and ultimately thrive.

An equivalent concept in the Hebrew language is “Gam Zeh Ya’avor”, which means “this, too, shall pass”. This encouraging saying is meant to inspire optimism in the minds of people who are enduring the most trying situations. It encapsulates the paradoxes that we all endure while growing up and living life as an adult.

When we meet exceptionally bad, difficult and sad times, failure, betrayal or disappointment, it is then we must remember “This, too, shall pass.”

Just as night is followed by day and the crest of a billowing wave is followed by a trough, then another wave, this too shall pass. Remember: God will never put upon the believer more than you can bear, without providing a coping strategy (read about it in 1 Corinthians 10:13). As you go into today, whether you are on top of the world or groveling through one of life’s storms, take heart knowing that your past successes are preparation for future challenges and that your current challenges are rungs on the ladder of God ordained triumphs.

Keep your hope alive! Let optimism and confidence be like air in your lungs. They will create buoyancy and resilience that will allow you, like the people who accompanied Paul during the Euroclydon, to swim or cling to the debris of your former security until you reach the safe shores of a new reality.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, in some way we are all sailing, floating, or struggling in the sea of your love and mercy. Deliver us all through the passing trials and storms of life, into the destiny that You have planned for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “This Too Shall Pass” by Yolanda Adams. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching.
He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.