Navigating the Doldrums

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." -Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

"After all, what choice did we have, suicide or adjust? We tried every sailing trick we could think of to get the boat to move. We sat all on the lee side, tip-toed around the deck, shifted everything we could move below to the lee, nothing worked… The sight of ripples along the surface in the distance was as exciting as anything we could think of. ‘MAYBE we can get out of this situation now!’"

– Bonnie MacGregor, Sailor (Callofthesea.org)

Have you ever heard of the doldrums? In the world of maritime sailing, it's a region near the equator known for its calm, windless days. Ships that enter the doldrums can find themselves stranded, their sails hanging limp, and their progress halted. It's a frustrating place for sailors, and in many ways, the doldrums resemble some of the seasons of ministry we all experience.

Ministry, like sailing, brings seasons of momentum and stagnation. There are times when the wind fills our sails, and we glide forward with purpose and energy. The vision is clear, and the excitement is palpable. But then, just as we are headed on the course to our destination or ten-year vision goals, we find ourselves slowing to a dead stop in the doldrums.

The doldrums of ministry are those seasons when it feels like progress has come to a screeching halt. The winds of enthusiasm and inspiration die down, the money runs out, the energy drains away, and we're left adrift in still waters. It can be disheartening, even maddening. We wonder if we've lost our way if our mission has lost its purpose. “Did I really hear God right?”, we ask.

The Dangers of the Doldrums

• Losing Your Way: In the doldrums, there are no coastlines in the distance to orient the ship. Any ocean currents that might serve as a trail in the wilderness dissipate into near glass, erasing any option for guidance from the earth. In the doldrums, the navigator must look to the stars to find their direction and look to their charts to find their way. When the open doors of ministry have all shut and there is no direction for the path forward, we must look up to God—not in desperation, but with intentional eyes seeking direction—and look down at the scriptures to help us navigate.

• Losing Heart: Even veteran captains and sailors could find themselves at the utter limits of despair when stopped in the ocean with no wind and dwindling supplies. "Soon the days began to drag on and we wondered if our supplies would last; there was no place to stop for 2000 miles." – Alan Olson (Callofthesea.org)

  The doldrums are more than mere calm; they are a test of endurance and faith. Sailors of yore faced not just a halt in their journey but challenges to their very survival. Likewise, in ministry's doldrums, our spiritual vitality may feel under siege as we grapple with inactivity and doubt.

• Losing Strength: Sailors whose supplies of fresh fruit ran out for long periods without wind would develop scurvy—a brutal condition when bones don’t have access to essential nutrition like vitamin C, weakening their ability to respond with strength and stability when the wind inevitably returns. They began to pack lots of limes to prepare ahead of time for battling this danger. What do you need to make sure you have plenty of to keep your strength and physical health sharp during periods of ministry stagnation?

The Doldrums can be dangerous…

But here's the thing about the doldrums: they are a natural part of the journey across the sea. Every sailor knows that these calm periods present a challenge, but they also become an opportunity. In the doldrums, sailors learn patience, resourcefulness, and the importance of perseverance. "The doldrums were a time out from actively sailing and from thinking we could control the duration of the passage. It was a time to make the best of it, not knowing how long it would last. It gave us an opportunity to catch up on tasks that are hard to do when the boat is moving with the wind, waves, and swell." – Sylvia Stompe (Callofthesea.org)

In ministry, the doldrums teach us similar lessons. We learn to rely on God's timing rather than our own. We discover the depths of our faith and the resilience of our spirit. In these seasons of apparent stagnation, our character is refined and our calling is reaffirmed.

How do we navigate the doldrums of ministry?

• First, we must recognize them for what they are—temporary. Just as the winds eventually return to a sailboat in the doldrums, so too will the seasons of momentum return in our ministry. We must hold fast to the knowledge that God is still at work, even when we can't see it. Psalm 27:14  whispers to our weary hearts, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." In these seemingly stagnant times, we are called to wait with expectancy, trusting that Christ, the ultimate navigator, charts our course even in the stillness.

• Second, we must use this time wisely. The doldrums can be a time of preparation and reflection. This time presents an opportunity to examine our goals, strengthen our relationships, and deepen our faith. Just as sailors make necessary repairs and improvements to their ships during calm days, we can use these seasons to shore up our ministry. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) further encourages us: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Our spiritual doldrums are not voids of purpose but seasons of preparation. Weariness may beckon, yet we are called to persevere, knowing that in God’s timing, our efforts will bear fruit.

• Third, we must remember that we are not alone. Other sailors have faced the doldrums, and other ministry leaders have experienced seasons of stagnation. Reach out to your fellow leaders for support and encouragement. Share your challenges and your triumphs. Together, we can navigate these calm waters and emerge stronger on the other side. 2 Corinthians 4:16 offers us a perspective that anchors us: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." The doldrums, while seemingly a period of decay, are in truth a crucible for inner growth and renewal, under the guiding hand of Jesus.

• Lastly, The doldrums are beautiful. Nowhere is the sea clearer and calmer than the doldrums. Nowhere is the brilliant display of the night sky more visible. When ministry slows down because of things you cannot control, look up. Look around. Notice the beauty of the Kingdom of God at work outside of your own ‘boat’. Maybe even literally look to creation, and take a walk outside use the slowness to appreciate the wonderful works of the Creator of creation.

As navigators of faith, we learn to endure and grow through these quiet times. They are not signs of abandonment but sacred pauses for reflection and deepening trust. Like sailors who carried limes to prevent scurvy, we too must nourish our souls with prayer, scripture, and community, especially when progress seems halted. These times of stillness and uncertainty are profound opportunities to deepen our reliance on Christ's timing and providence. As you journey through the ministry's doldrums, cling to the hope found in Christ. He sustains you, and soon enough, His winds will fill your sails again, propelling you forward with renewed vigor and a more profound appreciation for His unwavering faithfulness.

In these quiet moments, under the watchful eye of Jesus, our souls find their true north, ready for the next mighty wind to continue our voyage.

-          Taylor Rogers 

RESOURCE

Read first had modern sailors reflections on navigating the doldrums. I find new spiritual insights and analogies every time I try to read one.

https://callofthesea.org/call-of-the-sea-weekly-doldrums/