After the violent storm that had ravaged the ship that Paul was being transported on in his journey to Rome to meet the Caesar, he and the crew landed on the island of Malta, which runs south of Italy. It was raining and cold when they landed there, but the islanders attended to them and showed them kindness. Paul helped them gather a pile of brushwood to start a fire, and out from that wood came a viper that fastened itself to Paul's hand. While the islanders were frightened and superstitious about the incident, Paul shook off the snake into the fire, and suffered no ill effects, without fear of any likelihood of harm. Why? Because Paul was energized by the assurance that Christ Himself gave Paul that he would get to Rome safely, and Paul wholeheartedly trusted that promise. When faith shines through in the darkness, when things get real and frightening, you will have influence.