peterd

The Doldrums

John 3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.

The doldrums are a belt of very still air near the equator that stalled sailing ships. With today’s powered shipping, these conditions when encountered are of no consequence, but in the days of sail-ships, they were real problems when encountered. The ships would lie still on a calm ocean in the sweltering heat. I am sure tempers ran hot and nerves were frayed. Extreme boredom must’ve set in. I think the frustration of not being able to do anything but wait was unbearable. Delays like this meant that all previous planning would have to be dispensed with. In fact, one couldn’t plan at all – it was impossible to know when the wind would blow once again and the journey to the desired haven could continue.

I imagine when these conditions were first encountered; some tried to continue the journey by bringing out the oars and rowing. Quite frankly, this plan of action would have taken a lot of effort and really not achieved much; excepting maybe that the sailors felt that “at least they were doing something.” This route tired them out quickly if they decided to do this, and only added to the frustration of “getting nowhere in a hurry!”

The best plan of action was to patiently wait; to get the needed rest – for once the wind blew again there would be much activity aboard the ship. Each day the sailors would watch for signs of wind. A slight “fluttering” in the sails would indicate a breeze. When they saw this, they had to quickly prepare for getting underway as soon as possible. I’d imagine some had gotten into a state of lethargy and didn’t welcome the sudden activity. Others probably muttered “about time!” Whatever the responses – there was some response in one and all.

The sails were trimmed to utilise every slightest movement of the breeze. Watching what the wind was “doing” was very important to ensure the ship never lost momentum due to not utilising the breeze correctly. As the wind increased in strength and the ship increased in momentum, the past time of “testing” and “passivity” were soon forgotten. There was enough to keep everyone busy now so that the journey to the desired haven could continue.

It has been my experience as a believer that I often find myself in the “doldrums” with respect to the “wind” of the Holy Spirit and it seems there is an “intermission” in my journey. These times are for times of introspection and analysis of motives and goals. They are testing times. They are confusing times. They are times when the world’s saying: “when the going gets tough the tough get going” seems to be the only solution we can find to the dilemma. So we start “rowing like mad” in an attempt to “help the Lord out”. Rather what the Lord wants at these times is to stand still and listen. Wait and look for a “fresh breeze”; a fresh “fluttering” in the sails. In times like these we do not have a clue where the wind will take us next – but we “must” wait else we may find we are running in the wrong direction and ultimate ruin may be our lot.

The Holy Spirit is that wind that we need to navigate and drive our lives onto His charted course.

Doldrums are no indication that we were on the wrong course to start with. They are encountered so that once again we can realise that “without Him we can do nothing.” They are encountered to stop us from our headlong rush towards the “coral reefs” that can destroy our ships – our lives and ministries – in a moment. They are encountered so we can rely less on our abilities to “row the boat” and rather rest on the “wind” of his Holy Spirit. It is in these times of “doldrums” that we need to take stock of our motives. It is here we need to see how strong our faith is. It is here we need to wait silently before our Lord and hear that “still small voice” giving reassurance and providing peace that we could never experience in the mad rush and “busyness” we can get so caught up in.

Isaiah said: “They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength.” The Lord knows what lies ahead. “Doldrums” give us the needed rest and disentanglement from life to renew us for the battles we will encounter ahead.

Are you “in the doldrums”? Are you getting hot, frustrated, anxious, and angry? Do you think “I’ve missed it?” Are you “mad at God” for leading you on a seeming “wild goose chase” – seemingly leading to nowhere? Listen to what Jeremiah the prophet said when he faced this:

Jeremiah 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocks me.

This is what he felt – nothing he had said was accepted and he felt his “mission and ministry” had been a waste of time. Do you feel like that sometimes? *** DOLDRUMS ***

If you are there today dear heart, do not despair or let the enemy say: “you missed it”; or “you’ve lost it” or “you’re such a sinner” or maybe he’s saying “who did you think you were? Do you really think God wants or can use you?” Satan is a liar and wants you to give up – after all things are “quite dead” right now – God has forsaken you. Away with such thoughts and lies!

Rather let us wait patiently on the Lord:

Hebrews 13:5 … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

He’s there with you in the “doldrums” – keep quiet for awhile…listen to His voice…let His peace fill and flood you soul…He’s saying: ”Be still and know that I am God”. Don’t try by self-effort to “push-on”, you may “row your boat” where the “wind” is not blowing and miss it!

Soon the “wind” will blow once again, and you will forget what it was like in the “doldrums”.