Facing Into The Gale

The experienced sailor knows that a ship must head into a storm in order to avoid shipwreck. He must keep the ship facing into the gale (see the nautical term, “aloof“). It takes great courage to head into seemingly further trouble, but it is only by facing difficulties head on, that they can be conquered.

There are some things that cannot be avoided and which, if not resisted (1 Peter 5:8-9), will overcome and overwhelm us (1 Timothy 1:18-20). The difficulty with trying to run away from an adversary is that an adversary, like the wind, runs faster, will soon catch up to us, and will soon overcome us (Exodus 14:1-10).

As Christians, let us never turn our back on trouble, but rather face it, and in so doing, become a victor instead of a victim (Exodus 14:13-14, 26-31; cf. Psalm 106:7-12).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets