A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! James 3:3–6 (MSG)
Whether we speak negatively or positively, our mouths determine the direction of our lives.
Today’s verses say that our tongues are like the rudder of a ship. When a storm begins to blow, it’s the rudder that steers that ship through the storm. If the ship’s captain loses control of the rudder, that ship is at the mercy of the storm.
In the old days when a storm began to blow on the sea, you’d find the captain of the ship hanging on to the wheel that controlled the rudder. Sometimes he would even be tied to the wheel so he couldn’t be washed off by a wave. You see, if that captain lost control of the rudder, if he stopped steering that boat into the waves, the boat could easily be destroyed.
When you’re in the middle of a storm, maintain control of your rudder, which is your tongue. You are not at the mercy of the storm. You can keep your speech positive and steer your way through the storm.
The good news is that if you keep steering during a storm, the wind can get you to your destination even faster. The same is true in life, so the next time you find yourself experiencing trouble, keep praising God. Keep
claiming what God has promised you: health, prosperity, peace, joy and great relationships. Don’t let discouragement take over. Keep trusting him and keep doing what you can do, and you’re going to get to the other side.