Sailing Against the Wind: The Strength of Resistance
Morgan Nel | ACSI Southern Africa Assistant Director
Life often feels like sailing against a relentless wind. The easy path – drifting with the current – rarely leads to growth or fulfilment. True progress requires resistance, just as a yacht must lean into the wind to move forward. The Bible reminds us that challenges are not obstacles to fear but opportunities for faith, perseverance, and divine strength.
The Art of Sailing Upwind
A yacht cannot sail directly into the wind, but through a technique called “tacking” it zigzags at an angle, using the very force against it to propel it forward. This process requires patience, skill, and unwavering trust in the captain’s ability to navigate the storm.
In much the same way, our spiritual journey demands perseverance through adversity. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When resistance pushes against us, we do not give up – we adjust our sails, lean into God’s wisdom, and keep pressing on.
Faith as the Rudder
A rudder may be small, but it determines the yacht’s direction. Likewise, faith steers our course through trials. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Even when the waves rise and the winds howl, faith keeps us steady, reminding us that the storm is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal.
Consider the disciples in the storm-tossed boat in Matthew 8:23-27. Fear overtook them as waves crashed around them, but Jesus rebuked the storm, proving His power over the winds and the sea. Resistance is not a sign of failure – it is a chance to witness God’s power at work.
The Anchor of Hope
A yacht needs an anchor to keep it from drifting in uncertainty. Our anchor is the hope we have in Christ. Hebrews 6:19 declares, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” When the winds of resistance try to push us off course, hope keeps us grounded in God’s promises.
Pressing Onward
The winds of hardship, doubt, and fear may try to push us back, but they do not define our journey. Instead, they shape us, refine us, and propel us toward the purpose God has set before us. Just as a skilled sailor embraces the wind rather than fights it, we, too, must embrace life’s challenges, knowing that resistance is part of our transformation.
So, when you feel the winds of difficulty pressing against you, remember: The strongest sailors are not made on calm seas. Lean into the wind, trust the Captain of your soul, and sail boldly onward. Victory is ahead.