Stepping Stones: What Do You Anchor to During a Storm?

Transformational Thought

Have you ever noticed these natural human phenomena? The more behind we are, the more quickly we tend to go. When we get lost, we start driving faster. When we don’t know what we are talking about, we begin to talk faster and louder. Lewis Carroll of Alice in Wonderland fame captured this behavior saying, “The faster I go, the behinder I get.”

During severe storms, sometimes the best action we can take is to drop anchor. An anchor wedges itself deep into the rocks and sand and protects the vessel and crew from being set dangerously adrift, being tossed back and forth due to the winds and waves … and possibly crashing into the rocks. In our personal storms and most stressful moments, we need to be anchored securely … not in transient wishes and hopes … but securely in God’s rock-solid character and promises.

Satan wants us to run quickly and blindly toward false, hollow deathtraps masquerading as truth and refuge during the frequent storms that come our way. God’s promises, character, instruction, and Word anchor us to Him and equip us to be steady in every storm. We can be victorious in any challenge that Satan brings and God allows (yes, He does allow every trial) in our life for the purpose of growing the mind of Christ in us.

Our problem is the “My kingdom come, my will be done” mentality that says we should anchor to ourselves or to the world’s system that immediately gives me what I want. We often think we have more power than we really do. We think we know all the answers. Or we see something pretty and shiny that we want, believing it is the answer. So, we chase Starbuck’s, the latest self-help fad, nutritional supplements, more money, alcohol, a drug, a pain pill, more control, that significant other who is an answer-to-my-dreams, or even education, employment, or family. The only reliable place to drop anchor in a storm is in Him.

Having the ability to believe what the Bible says about pain is one of the most important set of instructions we can learn. God will provide a peace. He won’t give us more than we can endure. He will hook up to our yoke to lighten our burden. He will grow us through these trials, and He will provide the Great Comforter.

Today, take comfort in knowing that you have a secure place to drop anchor when storms threaten your peace and stability. When you face uncertainty, a storm, or discomfort … just STOP and THINK. What does God promise or say in these kinds of situations? We may not know what the future holds for us – but we can rest in the knowledge that we are the safest when anchored to God. Look at the optional anchors and be honest with yourself about the safety they offer. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You, Father, for being the God of all hope. You know the desires and secret fears of my heart … You know when I am in the midst of a terrible storm. I thank You, Father, for all Your promises and Your steadfastness during my storms. Thank You for being my refuge, my rock, my anchor. Today I cast all my hopes and dreams onto You for safekeeping because I trust You. I pray in the name of the one You sent to be my anchor, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 33:21