By Rusty Potter
Life has a way of throwing us off course. One day, everything is smooth sailing, and the next, the wind shifts – sudden illness strikes, a job falls through, and bills pile up, or relationships face unexpected challenges. It’s in those moments we discover a hard but necessary lesson: you can’t control the wind.
You can’t control the wind; but you can always adjust your sails. That’s what sailors do. The direction of the wind doesn’t determine whether they make it to their destination – their response does. By shifting the sails, they can harness even unfavorable winds to keep moving forward. The same is true for us. We don’t get to choose every storm, but we do get to choose how we respond.
History and faith both give us examples of this lesson. The hymn “Peace Be Still,” written by Rev. James Cleveland, paints the picture perfectly. It tells of storms raging and winds howling, but it reminds us that there is calm and safety in trusting God. The song points back to the Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were terrified by the winds and waves; they couldn’t control. But with three words – “Peace, be still” – Jesus showed them that the storm didn’t have the final say.
In the same way, storms will come into our lives. The winds of disappointment, hardship, and even heartbreak will sometimes blow fiercely. But those winds do not determine our destiny. What matters is how we set our sails – whether we choose to let fear paralyze us or let faith carry us through.
Many of the strongest people you know didn’t arrive where they are because life was easy. They made it because they refused to quit in the storm. They adjusted. They shifted their thinking, leaned on faith, and pressed forward even when the winds weren’t favorable.
Maybe you’re facing some winds right now. Perhaps the economy has made things harder for your family. Maybe your health isn’t what it used to be. Maybe grief or discouragement weighs heavy on your shoulders. Whatever your storm looks like, remember: you don’t have to control the wind. What you can control is your attitude, your effort, and your faith.
Instead if cursing the wind, learn from it. Adjust your sails. Find new ways to keep moving forward. Hold on to your belief that better days are ahead. And never forget that storms don’t last forever – winds eventually shift, and brighter skies always come.
The next time life’s winds blow against you, don’t give up and don’t lose heart. You can’t control the wind, but you can control your response. And when you adjust your sails with courage and faith, you’ll discover that even the strongest storms can push you closer to your purpose.
