Buffeted by the Winds of Adversity

How often do you find yourself in the midst of a life-storm and when things really should be getting better, they only seem to get worse? The winds of adversity are buffeting you and blowing you about, appears as though life has reached its apex of disaster and can’t get any worse, then you are hit by another, larger gust.

Life had been going along great. No trouble; no problems; just you and Jesus moving along in harmony together. Then, it hit! Like a tsunami out of nowhere. Blindsided! Lord, what is going on here? Why is this happening to me? You know what I’m talking about.

If you have ever attempted to grow close to the Lord, to grow in your Christian influence, to move forward in your Christian walk—you have discovered very quickly it’s not a straight easy path. It quickly becomes a winding path filled with ups and downs, valleys and potholes and hills and mountains, and then the occasional strong wind of major adversity that attempts to knock you from the path you are struggling to follow.

When you have a mountaintop experience with the Lord, you will discover quickly that the winds of adversity will normally follow suit. The disciples had been out with Jesus all day. They had seen Him heal sick people. They had witnessed and actually had a part in feeding a great multitude of people numbering over 10,000 strong with five bread loaves and two fish. They were on the mountaintop. Things couldn’t get any better.

As evening approached, Jesus sent His disciples out on the lake in a boat while He went off to pray and receive much needed spiritual nourishment from the Father. The winds and waves of adversity began to rock the little boat and the men became frightened. Jesus approached, walking on the adverse waves, adding to their overwhelming sense of fright.

Peter cried out over the howling winds: “Lord, if it’s You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28 HCSB). Jesus responded: “Come!” (v. 29). “Climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (v. 29-30).

Peter saw the “strength of the wind” and he became afraid. He took his eyes off of Jesus and began to focus upon the adverse winds that were howling around about him. The force of the buffeting winds diverted his focus and stole his victory. The wind itself did not overwhelm him; it was his own thoughts about it that took control and led to his loss of focus. The buffeting winds were merely a diversionary tactic of the enemy.

The winds of adversity come roaring into our lives to divert our focus. More often than not, they follow a mountaintop experience. They come roaring in while we are exuberant and excited totally ignoring the onslaught that is about to strike. Peter warned us of this impending danger with these words: “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Just when you think everything in life is great, the devil will strike like a serpent! While you are rejoicing in a great spiritual victory, the enemy is reloading and preparing to attack with ferocity. Peter experienced this time and again in his life; thus, the warning to always be sober, ready, on the alert. The enemy seeks to devour the children of God but we have the power to resist him through our faith in Jesus Christ. We must learn to stand strong. We must learn to remain focused upon Jesus.

Paul encouraged our faith with these words: “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NLT). He continued writing: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (vv. 38-39).

The buffeting winds are simply a diversionary tactic. When you learn to focus on Christ regardless of your situation or circumstances, you will discover that “you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 HCSB). Stand your ground by faith and trust in Jesus Christ—the One who has already won the victory!

Scripture Reading: “My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth. Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued. God has spoken in His sanctuary: ‘I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in triumph.’ Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have You not rejected us, God? God, You do not march out with our armies. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes” (Psalm 108 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, as I move out into the world today, I realize the enemy is already making plans to come against me. I understand that as Your child, he will not give up so I pray that I will remain mindful of his actions against me so his feats end only in disaster and defeat for him. May I be constantly aware that I am more than a conqueror through my Lord Jesus Christ. May the enemy recognize me as a formidable enemy that refuses to slack down or be diverted from my tasks by his loud roaring and his deceiving ways. Help me to go forth in victory and to remain in victory through my walk with Jesus. Help me to impact my world with the gospel message of love, mercy and compassion. Father, help me to change my world by allowing the Spirit of God to work in and through me always. I love You and praise You for giving me another opportunity to shine the Light of Jesus…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!