If you’ve ever lived in a climate with cold, windy winters, you’ll understand what I’m about to tell you. For those who haven’t, I’ll do my best to explain.

Jim and I currently live in the Texas panhandle- a place where the wind never seems to stop blowing. And in cold weather, that wind can be pretty harsh. And we both grew up in Ohio- another place with some cold blustery winters. One thing I realized pretty early in life is that the more you tense up your muscles in the cold, cutting wind, the worse you feel. When you have tensed, tight muscles, it makes you shiver, shake, and feel even colder. And tensed mucles make you more prone to getting injured. So, my philosophy has long been to stay as relaxed as possible when out in cold windy weather- to consciously keep my muscles loose. In other words, I act as if the wind isn’t hitting me, but it’s blowing through me instead. I let the wind blow through me.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)

The other day as I was walking through some strong panhandle plains wind, the Lord pointed out to me that my philosophy about how to act in the wind is Scriptural and can be applied to most anything we go through. It’s a simple analogy. We all deal with winds of adversity that blow through our lives, trying their best to make us shiver, shake, and just feel miserable. But, if we choose consciously to rest in God, keeping ourselves loose and relaxed in His care, the experience isn’t as bad. It makes the burden light when we choose to relax and let Him do the heavy lifting.

The Lord also pointed out to me that the Bible uses the wind to represent the Holy Spirit, such as in Acts 2. So, as we allow the Holy Spirit to not only blow ON us, but to blow THROUGH us, we can use what we go through to minister to others. When we are in the midst of a trial or dealing with something painful, ministering to others is a wonderful way to help others while helping ourselves at the same time. As the wind of the Spirit blows through us and touches others, it touches us as well.

So, rest and relax in whatever you are going through, allowing the Lord to handle whatever it is that you are facing. And instead of focusing on the problem, turn your energy to helping someone else. Let the wind blow through you. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.