Many winds are blowing in these days, and they are not all physical. We can experience difficulties and circumstances that have the same effect on our lives as winds do upon our natural surroundings. Has this been happening to you? Have you been enduring winds of adversity. Are there things happening to you that are opposing the direction you believe your life should be going? Are you concerned about the future climate as the result of recent national and international events? The real question is: are we going to let the winds that blow from the troubles in this world dictate to us which way we should go? Are we to pay more attention to the trends of this world or the circumstances of our life than to the ordered directions of God? Can we continue on in the face of the winds of contradiction, or do we give up and flow with them?

I have watched as storms have blown into the islands off the Pacific Ocean where we live. The sea going birds seem to know when the storm is coming and make preparations. Without the right preparations and responses these birds would be tossed about like paper in a fan, losing all sense of bearing, and being in danger of suffering hurt and loss. As the wind increases, sea birds of all kinds fly into the wind, determined to lose no ground. When this is no longer possible, they find a solid place to land, away from the waves of the sea, sit down, and face the wind until it blows over. Sea birds know when to rest and when to fly, but even in the resting they face the wind. I have seen these birds endure hurricane force winds in this manner. They wait to resume their progress. When the wind dies down they’re back in the air as soon as possible, facing the wind and continuing in their flight.

This is a great example to teach us that we should know how to rest and how to fly, always facing the winds of life that oppose us. We can be prepared to face the hardships that come our way, armed with a faith and the determination that we are not going to let anything deter us from fulfilling our God ordained purposes.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 we find that Paul knew how to fly against the wind. He testifies, "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."

In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Paul continues to state that we are not to receive the grace of God in vain. Further more, the Lord is our help in all adversity. "For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

Let us not be surprised by opposing winds. No matter how hard or long the winds blow, the Lord always has a way for us to not only endure, but to be victorious. There is a way through the storm. Continue to face the wind with faith and courage. Do not be thrown off course. In Christ Jesus, you can do all things.