There is a stream of theology running amok that says faith in God means never having any problems. Tell that to the Apostle Paul. Reflecting on his trip across the Mediterranean Sea, Paul said, “The winds were against us” (Acts 27:4). That particular storm lasted for two weeks, leading to a shipwreck.
The God of peace and comfort is also the God of headwinds. And shipwrecks.
Take in the depth of the following words.
Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect his own Son. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like his Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.”
Headwinds and shipwrecks can be your friends. What God allows, he will use. He knows the storm you are facing. And when that storm has passed, you will have learned lessons that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Recovery Step: Robert Schuller said, “Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines.” No one is asking you to enjoy the storm. But you would be wise to learn from it.
