Have you ever heard of “the doldrums”? No, it’s not a funny name you can call your friends! In the ocean near the equator, the doldrums are windless waters, without current and in ancient days, without hope of escape. Now we have engined ships that can cruise in any circumstance, however back in the day, getting stuck in the doldrums was a death sentence. To learn more, watch the video below:

The Sailor’s Silent Menace

Last week, we explored the first enemy of grace: comfort. The danger of comfort lies in how it subtly drifts us toward complacency, a state I’ll call “the spiritual doldrums.” Complacency, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, is “a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.” Merriam-Webster similarly defines it as “self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

Can you see the connection? The spiritual doldrums are the stagnant waters we find ourselves in when we become self-satisfied rather than Jesus-satisfied, when we boast more in our accomplishments than in what Christ has accomplished in us. This drift can trap us in windless waters, steering us further and further away from currents of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, yearns to guide and transform us daily into Christ’s likeness, often leading us into uncomfortable situations for our refinement. The illusion of comfort and complacency deceives us into believing we are good enough and strong enough to sail without the Spirit’s wind.

If you believe you’ve done so much for Jesus that you can retire from the Great Commission, fold your hands, and await the Second Coming, you are at odds with the Spirit’s relentless mission of reconciling humanity back to our Heavenly Father. The Spirit does not work with those merely waiting to die to go to heaven; rather, He seeks to fill those who have already died to themselves and are eager to partner with Him right now to bring heaven to earth.

If you believe you are “good enough,” consider the early disciples in Acts 14. Read their story and ask yourself: does your life and faith resemble theirs? If not, there’s room for growth! I urge you to seek the Holy Spirit’s daily wind to steer you clear of the doldrums of complacency, a deadly enemy of God’s grace.

Remember, even though sailboats rely on the power of the wind, they still require skillful steering! Let us not steer against the Spirit. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 4:7). Read the Word, submit to His will, pray in the Spirit and He will provide fresh wind for your spiritual sails, guiding you to His intended destination. He will never lead you to the doldrums; that is a course we choose for ourselves.

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name, forgive me when I choose comfort and complacency over obeying your calling and commands. Forgive me when I live for myself, rather than for Jesus, who died and rose again for me. May You be gracious to us and bless us and make Your face shine on us so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. (Psalm 67)

Selah and Amen.

Painting by Frank Vining Smith (1925)