"And when a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had gained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.  But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called a northeaster; and when the ship was caught in it, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and let ourselves be driven along.  And running under the shelter of a long island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control.  And after they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor, and so let themselves be driven along.  The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; and on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands."

Here is a group in trouble.  They are so driven by the storm, so buffeted by the winds and the sea, that they have become truly desperate.

Now, in their desperation, they begin to toss cargo overboard, next they throw off their tackle.  They do not see any way of making it through this storm except being 'lucky' enough to ride it out on the shell of their ship.

This is not the end of the journey for Paul.  We know that because the story is written by a first hand observer.  Do you recognize what is happening to Paul?

A storm.  Storms happen to everyone. 

How does Paul act when a storm comes his way?  How do you react when you are in the middle of a storm?

The storms in our lives are only proving grounds for faith.