Key scripture – “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:29-30).

Imagine for a moment you began an exciting sailing adventure. You’ve been trained to navigate and sail on the ocean and you also know what to do if you run into any trouble. You are confident you can handle the challenge.

However, midway in the journey your resources have dried up. It almost seems God has intentionally destroyed all the skills you have to deal with the weather and the obstacles, and now your sails are damaged and your engine has broken down. Then to make matters even worse, your oars were lost overboard. You are stuck in the middle of the ocean and there is absolutely no wind to propel your boat. You are, as they say, “up the creek without a paddle.”

All of this leads you to the end of yourself and you say, “Lord, I don’t know why you brought me out here only to die.” The silence is deafening. Finally, the Lord speaks, “Yes, you are right. I did bring you out here. I did destroy your sails. I did break your engine. And yes, I want you to die spiritually, not physically, in order that you may LIVE. I want you to understand that when you are weak I am strong. You see my child, you are nothing without Me. You cannot do anything without my grace and power in your life.”

As you start yielding and giving everything to God, suddenly a gentle wave lifts the front of the boat. An easterly wind blows through the broken sail moving the boat in the right direction. You realize God is in charge and He is moving your boat! Your role now is to follow Him as He leads you.

Do you feel like your sails no longer have any wind to move you? Is your engine broken? Does it feel like God has propelled you into the open sea only to stop you midway with no options? Then He is saying to you that it is time for you to die spiritually, to give yourself completely to Him, in order that He might live through you.

Give the Lord total control today, give Him your job, finances, family, all the decisions that you have to make, along with your cares, problems, and burdens, and you will see His wind moving through your tattered sails and guiding you in the right direction. Die to yourself and live for Christ and you will have freedom from all fear, worry, anxiety and doubt.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, for too long I have insisted on being in charge and in control. That all stops today, because today I take up my cross and I die to myself in all areas of my life; my personal life, my work life, my relationships, my desires, and my disappointments. I do not want to be in control, I want you to control everything. Like the Psalmist, I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in me. The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; I will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death. The Lord has opened the gates of the righteous for me; I will enter and give thanks to You, Lord, for You answered me, You are my salvation, You are my God, and I will praise you; You are my God, and I will exalt You. I give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. (Psalm 118:13-21, 28-29). My life is in Your loving, capable, gentle, righteous hands. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.