"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
When I was ten, my family owned a pontoon boat. Many summers were spent out on the lake, tubing, and swimming in the deep waves. Some of my best memories were made on that boat.
One summer, however, a quickly moving storm rolled in, causing an overcast to erupt over the sky. Before my eyes, the beautiful day quickly transformed into what looked like a tsunami. As more water splashed into the boat, I discovered we were in danger. When we realized our boat motor was dead, a deeper tsunami arose in my heart: anxiety and fear.
With one broken oar and all hands on deck, my family attempted to nudge the boat back to shore. We plopped our hands into the cool water and went to work. I even remember trying to use my feet to swim the boat to safety. Land. Anything solid.
It was too late. The wind whipped us from side to side as the storm sirens sounded. We were truly lost and stranded out at sea. I can't help but wonder now if this is how the disciples felt in Matthew 8:23-27. They knew Jesus was with them, yet the Scriptures tell us they were fearful:
"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)
How many times has our faith felt like that? Lost, stranded, just hoping and praying we will find our way back home, back to solid ground? How many times has life felt more like a storm whipping you from side to side in a boat than a relaxing cruise?
Many times in life, we will face shipwrecked situations. It will seem that there’s absolutely no way out, and we find ourselves asking, “Will I ever make it out of this lake alive?” “Will I ever make it to shore?” "Will the storms ever cease to exist?"
The good news is this: Jesus is always with us in the storm. Even when we can't see Him, He knows all about the storms we're facing. And remember: He alone is in control. Even the wind and waves obey Him!
About an hour after the storm started, a rescue boat found us. Someone had reported seeing a large pontoon boat in the middle of the lake and wondered why they hadn’t come in yet. Sometimes, we as Christians get stuck in places where we need help getting out of the storm, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sending an SOS isn’t humiliating, it’s humbling. It reminds us who's really in charge.
The only reason that rescue boat found us was because we dared to let down our anchor. We had the courage to pray and trust God. We chose to sit in the middle of the hail and pouring rain, believing that God would send someone to rescue us. And He did.
Friend, no matter what storms you’re facing today, I want you to know that Jesus is our firm anchor through the storm. With Him, we can survive any weather. But it will require us to act. To trust. To place our hope in not something but Someone who is an anchor for our souls. That anchor will never weary or tarnish. It's steadfast, faithful, and true. Hebrews 6:18-19 expands our focus verse this way:
"So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain" (v.v. 18-19, ESV).
For this we have hope. Hope for our souls.
Let’s Pray:
Dear God,
Thank you for being our anchor in the storm. Although nothing is pleasant about life’s difficulties or inclement weather, we can rejoice that you’re with us through it all. If we’re stranded in the middle of a lake, you’re with us. If we’re walking through desert lands, your presence is a quencher of our greatest thirsts. Help us as we navigate our challenges and remember to let down our anchor and rest in you. We love and praise you, Lord. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nias Nyalada
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
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Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
