Why Would God Send Headwinds No Matter Which Way I Travel?

Hubby Arvo and I kayaked over five miles on the river that feeds into the ocean on Edisto Island with headwinds coming in and going out. I don't know how that is possible, but suffice it to say, it was tiring. If I drafted close behind Arvo's kayak, he blocked the wind and pulled me a bit in his wake. Here is the video of that.

However, despite a headwind that was determined to exhaust us, we hit the jackpot in nature viewing.

We saw the Bald Eagle I had seen the day before on the same tree. I am convinced she has a nest there. She even flew for us! Then, as we neared the dock without sighting any dolphin, two dolphins surfaced near our kayaks. I didn't get any photos, but it was fun tagging along behind them for awhile. I stayed with them for about a half mile (fighting the headwind!).

Why the headwind no matter what direction we traveled? That didn't seem fair. A lot of my friends and family lately seem to be hitting headwinds in life no matter which way they turn. They just can't seem to catch a break. Troubles abound as far as they can see in any direction.

Here is my encouragement, and what I believe God was showing me. After traveling in one direction against a ferocious headwind, I got to see a magnificent Bald Eagle. Traveling in the other direction against a terrible headwind (until the very last few moments) I got to see dolphins.

There is no doubt we will encounter trials in life, sometimes seemingly insurmountable ones. But if you are on a path where God has not arranged an easy route for you to travel, try to consider where it is ultimately leading. If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is leading to eternal life where there is no more suffering or despair.

And remember: You are not alone. Nearly all Biblical heroes of faith encountered unbearable trials one after another -- Jeremiah, Hosea, Job, and Jesus Himself.  If you are His child, bound to Him eternally by faith, He has a glorious reward waiting for you at journey's end.

Don't give up. You may glimpse an eagle soaring above you, or dolphins cavorting beside you.
**********

Romans 5:3-5 

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Chronicles 16:11 

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

2 Timothy 2:12

If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

Hebrews 12:1-15 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. ...