Don't Listen to Bad Wind

Matthew 14:30
But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord Save me!”

Psalms 142:6
Give heed to my cry, for I am brought low. Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

We often find ourselves making great strides in life only to be knocked off balance by strong winds. Whenever I travel by airplane I am either flying against the wind or flying with the wind pushing me. There is no way around it. We are always going to have wind. You are going to have good wind and bad wind. Good wind is when the wind is at your back and propels your travel. Good wind is people praying for you. Good wind is when people acknowledge your achievements and you build social capital. Good wind is the Holy Spirit in your life. Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit in John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Bad Wind is adversity. Bad wind is accusation without substantiation. Bad wind is sensationalized sound byte driven press who look for anything negative to attack your progress. Bad Wind is people who have nothing going for them so their whole mission in life is to use their breath to slow you down with negativity.

A wise pastor once told me you have to live with the Bad Wind to benefit from the Good Wind, you are either flying against the wind or flying with the wind.

Jesus disciples were in a storm and the bible says, “The wind was against them.” Anytime you are obedient to Jesus and you are trying to get to the other side, the wind will always be against you at some point, but if Jesus is on your side and He sent you, than who can be against you?

The Good News is that when the wind is against you Jesus will come to see about you! In the midst of the storm Peter sees Jesus walking on the water. If this miracle of Jesus showing up in the middle of a windstorm wasn’t enough Peter says to Jesus, “if that’s you call me out there with you.” Jesus says to Peter, “Come on out here!” Peter begins to walk on water; it’s a miracle! He’s making great progress, gong where no man has gone before but then he starts paying attention to the strong winds and stops looking at Jesus. He cries out to Jesus, “Lord save me!”

There comes a time when even the strong get weak. We get tired of the wolves, we get tired of the sensationalized press, and we get tired of haters. David got tired hiding in a cave on his way to becoming king. He was surrounded by haters howling outside for his blood and he says to God, “Give heed to my cry for I am really down right now, save me from “Bad Wind” because the “Head Winds” are too strong for me.” Just when you are at your lowest that’s when Jesus will reach for you. When the winds are too strong remember:

1. Don’t focus on the wind. Especially when you are making great progress the winds objective is to distract you from where you were going. In the midst of the howling remember to listen for the voice of Jesus in the midst of your storm. Don’t read negative blogs, newspapers, or news. If people are saying things about you that are not true you don’t have to listen to bad wind or at least focus on it. Keep your mind on Jesus!

2. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus he began to sink. Whatever you focus on determines how you will go forward. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

3. Buckle up, it's only turbulence. When you are fighting through winds of resistance you have to make sure you have on the full armor of God found in Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.

4. Get to the other side because on your Return Flight the wind will be at your back. You will expend a lot of resources flying against the resources but the good news is that same wind will push you into your destiny once you come back the other way.

Dear God, I’m focusing on you. I know you called me out to do the impossible. I’ve got some wind against me but I know the Holy Spirit (Good Wind) has got my back. I’m keeping my eyes on you and we will get to the other side in spite of the Wind.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.