Tailwinds and Headwinds

Tailwinds and Headwinds

…and learning to be thankful

My wife and I were recently biking alongside a canal in Phoenix. I commented to my wife how effortless it was to bike on this flatland compared to the up and down hills of Wisconsin where we’re from. But then we turned around to head home and found that the “effortlessness” of our ride had nothing to do with the lack of Wisconsin incline. It had to do with a strong tailwind that we didn’t realize we were enjoying. Tailwinds are a wonderful thing! Heading home was much harder.

Tailwinds in Life

That got me thinking about the tailwinds in life that we often take for granted. Maybe it’s our parents running interference for us. Or our friends, teachers, coaches, or family members who offer us opportunities that we wouldn’t normally have. It could also be the benefit we receive from our race, education, wealth, or location. Or maybe it’s our grandma praying for us!  

I see all these factors as the hand of God working in our lives to create tailwinds for us. But too often we fail to see the hand of God. In fact, some people expect the wind to be at their back and complain when it’s not. Others take credit for their success as coming purely from their own wisdom and talent.  

Showing Gratitude and Thankfulness

I offer this simple analogy in hopes that you might stop to reflect on the tailwinds that you enjoy. Is there someone you can thank for the help they gave you? Did someone bring you the comfort, forgiveness, encouragement, or opportunity you needed to succeed? Is there some arrogance that you need to confess to free you from pride? Have you stopped to thank God for the tailwinds in your life? And finally, is there someone for whom you might provide a tailwind so they can experience their own success?

Showing gratitude for your tailwinds produces humility. And that humility will enable you to endure and overcome the headwinds when they come.

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