There is a good analogy of faith between sailing and our sanctification. Our being sanctified and and finishing the course that is set before us, is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is a part that we play. "Walking by faith" is similar to "running" in a sailboat.
When we make something a priority in our lives, usually, everything else becomes subservient (becomes a servant to get it) in our lives to that priority! We become focused on getting that which we have set as our goal, whether it is a luxury, job, the next meal...How do we formulate what is a priority? Does life depend upon it, or is it something less critical? For the Israelites, their lives depended upon their priorities, whether they would live in God’s blessing and fellowship or under His curse and chastening. And so do ours. Set your priorities in line with God’s Word/ God’s will. See my sermon, Priorities and Grace, Nehemiah 10:28-39, for details in applying these thoughts.