Tossed by the Winds
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”
When a sunset paints the western horizon, the sky's shifting colors remind us how swiftly this life’s shining moments can darken.
Sudden, tragic events can ruin our happiness, but we usually suffer because of something more subtle and sinister. Like in the garden of Eden or with Jesus in the wilderness, our enemy attempts to use deception and manipulation to trap us. The devil appeals to the lusts of the flesh and eyes, and our pride to attack our hearts when we’re vulnerable. With everything going on today, the news, social media, and our communities are full of opportunities for good or for evil. The enemy feeds us anxiety, worry, anger, prejudice, and pride. All these spiritual sicknesses take our focus off loving and serving God and each other. When we allow them into our hearts, they slowly destroy us and everything we love from the inside.
Proverbs 14:1 says a wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. The verse isn’t only referring to our physical homes, but also the spiritual basis of our families and our souls. Like the house founded on the rock, we need God’s solid foundation to withstand life’s storms (Matthew 7:24-27). First-century churches like the ones Paul addressed in his epistles struggled like we do with turmoil and worldly influences, so his instructions to them also benefit us. To remain established in Christ, Paul encourages us to actively pursue unity and spiritual strength when the devil and the world attempt to discourage and divide us. In Ephesians 4:14-15, he says, “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—.”
Of course, no one enjoys difficult times, and grief, pain, frustration, and discouragement are a natural part of life in this fallen world. But what is our response when these feelings happen?
Do we take a mental inventory of everything we wish was different? Do we spend time and energy worrying about or resenting things we probably have limited ability to change? Do we spread strife and anger by complaining or criticizing instead of seeking peace and understanding? Do we encourage fear or prejudice by repeating rumors or news stories where we might not have all the facts? All these things are signs that our lives have been affected by negative emotions and influences. Once we let negativity settle in and take root in our hearts, it becomes sinful attitudes that drastically impact our lives and the lives of everyone we influence.
So that we’re equipped to handle adversity, the Bible shows how people like us navigated troubled times, some more successfully than others. From the Old Testament, Elijah, the prophet, lost his focus on God as the source of his hope and security when Jezebel put out an order for his death (1 Kings 18-19). Similarly, after walking on water with Jesus, Peter looked away from Christ, feared the wind, and started to sink beneath the waves. In these accounts and more, God uses a wind storm to teach us about faith. He shows us He is in control of the storm, but when Elijah and Peter looked only at the wind, they did not find God. Concentrating on the wind only pulls us down and away from God.
Before He rescued Elijah and Peter, God confronted these men with the real problem. He did not deny the physical danger and emotional pain they experienced. Instead, God told them the real problem wasn’t in their circumstances but their hearts. God instructed them to have faith, to trust Him, and who He is (1 Kings 19:13-18, Matthew 14:31).
Although they faltered, Elijah and Peter are remembered as Biblical heroes because they chose to focus on God in the end. Everyone has seasons when they’re tossed by the winds, when the storm seems overwhelming. But no matter how fierce the storm, God’s power is greater (Romans 1:20, Ephesians 1:19-21). When Jesus’s disciples were afraid in Mark 4 because rough winds and waves beat their boat, His followers questioned whether Jesus cared about them since He slept while they suffered. Jesus took their concerns seriously enough to act, although they doubted Him. “Peace, be still,” He commanded the winds, and they obeyed. In another context, God tells us in Psalms 46:10-11, “Be still, and know that I am God.” According to Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon, the original wording means to give up fighting, to go limp. Such total surrender is what God is talking about in James 4:7 when He says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” If we end up losing sight of God’s power, love, and sovereignty while trying to fight our circumstances or the effects of evil, we’re ultimately resisting God and destroying what we’re trying to protect.
How often do we try to fix the world’s problems with human-made solutions? How frequently have we relied on our own strength and knowledge to make it through today? When we rely on ourselves, humankind, or the powers of this world, we’re carried away by the winds. Anything of this world is fragile, flawed, and temporary. God is the only one with the strength to stretch out His hand and pull us from the storm. Our victory over our circumstances doesn’t depend on the strength of the winds or our own power, but on God’s power (Romans 8:18, 31-39, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6). He is our refuge, shield, and anchor (Psalm 18:2, Hebrews 6:18-19). Even in the midst of trouble and pain, we can have hope and trust in His promises that He'll never fail us, never leave us, and always love us, no matter how the winds may blow (Joshua 1:9, 2 Chronicles 6:14, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 14:24, 41:10, Romans 8:31-32, 15:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Prayer Journal Prompt:
What worldly influences are causing anxiety, anger, or strife in my family and me, and how can I replace this influence with godly sources of wisdom, peace, and love? What’s something loving and encouraging I can do for someone going through a difficult time right now, especially someone I might argue with?
