A young sailor woke up some mornings to find his sail already full, even before he touched the ropes. The wind would rise on its own—quiet, sudden, and strong—pushing the boat slightly off the dock.
At first, he panicked. “Why is this happening?” he thought. “Did I do something wrong?” So he stared at the sail, ashamed, as if the wind itself proved he was guilty.
An older captain saw him struggling and said, “The wind is not your sin. The wind is power. What matters is what you do next.”
He taught the sailor to keep the boat steady: loosen the sail when it pulled too hard, point the bow into a calm direction, and focus his hands on the work in front of him. “If you keep feeding the wind with panic and attention,” the captain warned, “you’ll drift. But if you treat it as a passing force and steer with discipline, you’ll stay on course.”
Over time, the sailor learned: the wind might come without warning, but he didn’t have to follow it. Each time he chose self-control, his confidence grew—not in his own strength alone, but in the steady guidance that kept him aligned with his destination.
Erections are a natural part of being male and a sign of your body functioning as God designed. They often occur without conscious thought or intent, especially during puberty or times of hormonal fluctuation. This chapter explains how to handle natural erections in a way that aligns with your faith and respects God’s design.
Reflect on how understanding the physiological nature of erections can help you approach them with less guilt or confusion.
When your body reacts naturally, here are steps to manage the situation without letting it lead to temptation:
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
— Colossians 3:2
Next time you experience a natural erection, practice shifting your focus and praying for strength. Reflect on how this helps redirect your mind.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:27 and repeat it during moments when you need to exercise self-control.
Natural erections can serve as reminders to turn to God for strength and to focus on His design for your body.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31
The next time you feel distracted by a natural bodily response, take a moment to pray and thank God for His design.
If you find it difficult to handle natural erections without letting them lead to temptation, seek support.
Identify someone you trust who can provide accountability. Commit to reaching out to them when you need support.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating my body with care and intention. Help me to honor You in how I manage natural responses, like erections, and teach me to exercise self-control. Strengthen my thoughts to remain pure and guide me to focus on things that glorify You. Thank You for Your patience and grace as I grow in discipline and reliance on You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
You can download your reflections from this chapter.