The Wind in My Sails

I used to sail, and I know what the wind being knocked out of your sails means. The boat comes to a screeching halt, all hope of moving forward vanishes, and the dangerous boom that holds the sail can come whipping around obliterating anyone unfortunate enough to be in its path.

Sometimes, it takes quite a while to set the boat heading in a direction again where the wind can catch and fill the sail. There is a period of helpless foundering. It doesn't seem possible that you will ever move on the smooth, beautiful tack you had once been on.

What does one do when this happens in life?

I love what the Message Bible translation of Psalm 51: 12-13, 17 says:

Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!

Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home...

I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.

Heart-shattered lives don't for a moment escape God's notice. I take comfort in that when the wind has been knocked out of my sails.

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Psalm 51: 10-17
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.