Three Anchors to Hold You Steady in Life’s Rough Waters

Christianity has been identified by different symbols over the years—like the fish and, of course, the cross. But did you know the anchor is also an ancient symbol of Christianity? The Bible tells us, “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

In unstable situations, an anchor gives a boat stability. It keeps a ship from drifting during storms or in the middle of the night. Do you ever feel like you need an anchor for your soul, something to keep you stable?

Here are three anchors to hold you steady in rough waters:

1. The Presence of God

Remember God is with you; he hasn’t left you. No matter how dark your life seems or how abandoned you feel, God is with you. He has not abandoned you.

When the apostle Paul was on a ship in the middle of a storm that lasted days, he said to the men with him: “Take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me” (Acts 27:22–23 NLT).

You may not be able to see God physically standing beside you, but God is with you. In fact, he has never not been with you. He’s never been nearer or farther from you than he is at this moment. God says, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 GNT). When you’re in a storm, you can count on the anchor of God’s presence.

2. The Purpose of God

Remember God’s purpose is greater than your storm or setback. Sometimes life’s storms may seem to set you permanently off course, but no storm or setback can change God’s purpose for you. God has no plan B for you. He fits everything—even your sins and other people’s mistakes—into his plan.

During the storm, God’s angel said to Paul, “Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!” (Acts 27:24 NLT), assuring him God’s plan included surviving the storm. When Paul was in the middle of the ocean and couldn’t see the sun, moon, or stars for days, it probably looked like God’s plan for him had crumbled. But it hadn’t. God’s purpose was greater than Paul’s storm—and God’s purpose is greater than your storm too. In a storm, trust the anchor of God’s purpose.

3. The Promises of God

Remember God’s promises can be trusted. Paul said to the sailors with him, “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (Acts 27:25 NIV). Paul’s faith wasn’t in the ship or the crew; his faith was in God’s promises. And you can trust God’s promises too.

What happened to Paul and the men he was with? They lost the ship—and all the cargo—but all the people were saved. God kept his promise to Paul. And he’ll keep his promises to you as well. Remember that the safest place for you to be is always right in the center of God’s will, even if that’s in the middle of a hurricane. In any storm, you can depend on the anchor of God’s promises.

Maybe you’re tempted to drift or to despair and you’re looking for something to keep you steady. Look no further than God’s presence, purpose, and promises.

 

Pastor Rick