“For You are my rock and my fortresses, therefore,
for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.”
Psalm 31:3 

Smooth sailing is not always smooth. The easier our path the more stunted we become. We need an opposing wind to help us be strong, courageous Christians.

A pastor friend of mine once said, “A ship, like a human being, moves best when it is slightly buffeted by the wind, when it has to keep its sails tight and attend to its course. Ships, like men, do poorly when the wind is directly blowing in their direction, pushing them sloppily on their way so that no care is required in steering or in the management of sails. When the wind seems favorable, because it is blowing in the direction one is heading, it is actually destructive, because it actually induces a relaxation in tension and skill. A ship needs a wind slightly opposed to it, for then tension can be maintained. It’s the same with men, an opposing wind allows the juices to flow and ideas to germinate. Ships, like men, respond to challenge.”