Acts 27:9-11,20
9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. 10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.
20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
Paul wasn't an expert sailor, but, because of his close walk with Jesus, he had a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit. He warned of the trouble ahead if they carried on their current course.
Understandably, those in charge didn't heed Paul's warning - what was his word against one of an "old sea dog" - an experienced ship's captain?
So they sailed into the storm.
In our lives, God tries to warn us about trouble ahead if we pursue a certain path. Failing to heed those warnings will lead to "storms" of consequences.
That's why stopping to listen to and take notice of the Holy Spirit's guidance on a daily, even moment by moment basis, is vital.
Sometimes we'll will be given a "gut level" warning in our spirit that goes against "experienced" and "logical" advice. If something doesn't feel right, however sensible it seems, we shouldn't ignore that warning.
I remember an incident in my own life. Someone had broken their contract with me to start a new business. My first reaction was to go back to my old job, it seemed a logical and safe step to take. Yet, sitting at my desk, having gone back, the Holy Spirit put a "knife" in me, strongly urging me: "You can't stay here". It was scary, but I left that job, without any work on the horizon.
Some 22 years later, here I am, having had my own business, built up from scratch by the mercy and blessing of the Lord. He knows better than me!
Acts 16:6-7 AMPC
And Paul and Silas passed through the territory of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Word in [the province of] Asia. [7] And when they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.
When faced with major decisions in our lives, our first response must be prayer - asking for God's guidance.
Then look for that answer to come, perhaps, from a verse from the Bible or from wise counsel.
The Lord is always trying to speak to us and lead us in His Paths of righteousness.
Sailing heedlessly into a storm, defying God's warning, will end up in great loss!
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