Do you feel like drift wood tossed about in the ocean or as though the storms of life are dragging you under? Maybe you are drowning in the depths of sin or plummeting in an ocean of tumultuous trials. Like a drifter lost at sea with no end in sight, you have a choice: give up and drown in troubled water or remain steadfast and refuse to sink. I encourage you to grasp hold of the rope, secured by the anchor, Jesus Christ our Savior, and refuse to sink.
An anchor is designed to connect a vessel to the bottom of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting during strong wind or currents, inherent in troubled waters. You too can hold fast to the life line, affixed to solid ground, through God’s anchor for your soul, Jesus Christ. If you say “yes” to Jesus, He can and will secure your vessel and steady you in the middle of your raging storm.
Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave and returned to earth to provide the means of gaining God’s promise of hope during troubled times. As He ascended into heaven to sit by God’s right side, He left us the Holy Spirit, the rope that provides the means to be forever anchored with the Body of Christ. He is the only steadfast anchor for our soul and our hope of a better tomorrow. Heaven awaits those who cling to the hope of Jesus.
What validates this hope? God’s truth as is written in Hebrews 6: 17 “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.”
When trials and temptations come crashing into our world like an out of control tsunami, leaving our vessel wrecked and torn from the powerful force of the storm, God provides a life line back to the calm, Jesus. You need only to cry out to Jesus, or in extreme cases, you may have to scream at Him at the top of your lungs. Nevertheless, if you wait patiently on the Lord, He will hear your cry and provide relief for your torn and tattered soul. No matter the depth of the sin or the intensity of the struggle, Jesus can and will provide redemption for His children.
I watched as they raised him from the water and laid him on the ground, feverishly working to resuscitate his small, lifeless body. People prayed all around for God’s hand to reach down and calm the storm, categorized as level “nightmare.” Paramedics, police, neighbors, strangers, firemen and even a life flight crew arrived on scene, but no amount of people calmed the sea. He passed from the realm of this earth into the pearly gates of the unknown, leaving behind desperation and brokenness in the wake.
How does one navigate back to the shore and unearth the glory of God’s mercy and grace? Begin each day in God’s word, studying His guiding truths for navigating life. Pray for the aid of the Holy Spirit, your life line, as you lay down your burdens and sin. Serve in God’s kingdom, instead of pursuing your own selfish desires. Wait patiently, as He begins to calm the storm in you. And, in time He anchors you to solid ground and the tumultuous ups and downs, that threatened to take you under, level out as the vessel begins to steady. Continue to shine your light for others, loving and serving the Lord on your journey. Ask God to show His presence in your life every day as the evil one awaits the moment you lower your guard.
In this life, unexpected trials may crash into the calm, as evil lurks around every corner looking for unsuspecting souls to devour. Tragedy or unforeseen events may leave behind feelings of hopelessness. Those walking with Jesus, question how God could permit such evil to evade a life set apart for God’s calling. Possibly, He permits the struggle to make us stronger or to teach reliance on His strength rather than our own. God may be providing strength training for our next big assignment. No one can ever know God’s reason for allowing evil to permeate our lives, but rest assured He can bring good from the worst of circumstance.
As you navigate the storms of life, I leave you with this passage from Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Hold steadfast to Jesus, the anchor of hope. And, refuse to sink!