Paul was on his way to Rome. The ship he was on was not able to withstand the storm and it broke apart when it hit a reef. Those who could swim were told to do so as they were near an island. Others grabbed anything that would float and made their way to shore. Not one person was lost in the shipwreck. (Acts 27:14ff)

When a ship is on the water it can be caught in a storm and sink. Sometimes there is nothing a person can do but go down with the ship. They are forever lost to their families and friends.

But there are times in our lives when we "shipwreck" them. Let’s notice just a few ways. First, if we carry around hatred for another person it shipwrecks our lives. When one has been wronged it is easy, for some, to dislike the person who has wronged them. We may even feel justified during this time. It causes bitterness in our lives and keeps us from growing as we should. John would say, "If someone says, ’I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 Jn. 4:20 NASB) Carrying around hatred makes us bitter and negative. To save our lives we must learn to love and forgive.

Another way to shipwreck our lives is to get caught up loving this world and the things in it. Some people live to have the latest electronic gadget they can get their hands on. Sometimes they are willing to go into debt to have things. When the time comes to pay for them, they may not be able to do so. John stated, "Love not the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 Jn. 2:15) Everything must be put in the right perspective for us to have smooth sailing.

We also shipwreck our lives by forsaking God. We need to have God in our lives. When we leave Him out of our lives things do not go as well as when we are trying to serve Him. We must pray to Him, read His word and attend services of the church. Some in the first century had begun to forsake God (Heb 10:24-25). Staying away from God will shipwreck our lives.

There are many other things that we may do that cause us to lose our faith. Hopefully, if you are not walking with God at the present, you will chose to do so.