(Written by Ed and Lisa Young)
When you concentrate on anchors, you would possibly picture an enormous ship docked on the harbor, held regular by a thick rope and a sturdy anchor gripping the ocean floor. But what happens when the anchor fails? When our daughter LeeBeth passed away, we had a selection: let the waves of grief capsize us or cling to the one anchor that might truly hold us—Jesus.
We’re all searching for something to regular us in life. But too often, we reach for the unsuitable things—popularity, success, money, and even relationships—hoping they’ll keep us from drifting. These things could appear solid, but in point of fact, they’re like homemade anchors manufactured from “clotheslines and Clorox bottles.” They look okay on the surface, however the second the storm hits, they fail. We learned that only Jesus’ anchor can fill the outlet in our soul.
The Anchor that Holds: A Personal Story
Years ago, I (Ed) made my very own anchor for my rowboat—a Clorox bottle full of sand. I believed I’d solved my problem. But the primary time I tested it, I miscalculated. The rope wasn’t long enough to achieve the lakebed, and after I threw it in, the sand seeped out. Before I knew it, I used to be blown everywhere in the lake.
That story is funny now, but how often will we make the identical mistake in life? We create anchors out of things like profession accomplishments, social media fame, and even good things like family or relationships. But when the winds of disappointment, doubt, or tragedy hit, those anchors can’t hold.
Jesus Is a Credible Anchor
Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Jesus is the credible anchor—unshakable, immovable, and trustworthy. On the day LeeBeth passed away, we had every reason to feel like our world was collapsing. We had questions, tears, and unimaginable grief. Yet, even in our darkest moments, we knew our anchor was credible because our Savior is credible.
Unlike my flimsy Clorox bottle anchor, Jesus’ anchor holds firm regardless of what. When life gets turbulent—whether it’s divorce, depression, or financial disaster—His anchor doesn’t let go.
Jesus Is a Compatible Anchor
Have you ever noticed that anchors are customized for the dimensions of the vessel? A small flats boat just like the one I take advantage of for fishing needs a tiny anchor, but a cruise ship requires something massive.
Here’s the amazing thing: the anchor of Jesus is perfectly matched to the load of our sin and the storms we face. Whether your heart is weighed down by addiction, anxiety, or guilt, Jesus’ grace is sufficient. Just as our daughter LeeBeth battled addiction and depression, lots of us carry heavy burdens. But regardless of how large your “boat” or how fierce your storm, Jesus’ anchor can hold you regular.
Christ Jesus Anchors Us in Confidence
Anchors don’t just hold boats in place; in addition they prevent them from drifting backward. Even when storms rage, an anchor maintains your progress. When life seems like you’re being pushed back by disappointment or fear, Jesus’ anchor helps you stay on track. Hebrews 10:35–36 reminds us,
“So don’t throw away your confidence; it would be richly rewarded. You must persevere in order that when you’ve done the need of God, you’ll receive what he has promised.”
It’s easy to lose confidence when life feels overwhelming. But the reality is, Jesus understands our pain. He walked through suffering Himself. You’re not alone—and also you don’t must persevere alone.
We Are Anchored in Community through Christ
One of the primary symbols of Christianity was the anchor. If you visit ancient catacombs within the Middle East, you’ll find anchors carved into the partitions as a reminder of hope in Christ.
But notice something else about an anchor: it’s not only in regards to the metal piece gripping the seabed. There’s also a rope connecting the anchor to the vessel. In the identical way, Jesus is our anchor, however the church is the rope that helps us stay connected to Him and to one another.
Isolation is dangerous, especially whenever you’re in pain. When we went through our hardest moments, the prayers and presence of our church family anchored us. That’s why being a part of a community matters. You need individuals who will remind you of God’s guarantees and hold you up whenever you’re too weak to face.
Grace within the Storm
Our lives are a sworn statement of God’s sustaining grace. Grace means getting what we don’t deserve. We need to sink under the load of our sin, but Jesus took our punishment and extends His mercy to us.
When LeeBeth was in rehab, she would look out over the ocean and picture herself sailing toward healing. She longed to be with us, to be whole again. I painted her an image of a ship named “Grace” to remind her that she was not lost at sea. She had an anchor of hope.
You have that very same hope. God’s grace can meet you wherever you’re. Whether you’re sitting in your room feeling alone or standing in the midst of a crowded room feeling unseen, Jesus’ anchor is for you. His grace is large enough to carry you, His love strong enough to hold you.
What’s Your Anchor?
So, what are you holding on to? Are you counting on your individual strength? Are you chasing approval, money, or success, hoping it would keep you regular? If so, it’s time to let go of the “Clorox bottles” in your life and grab hold of the true anchor.
Jesus’ anchor is credible, compatible, and confidence-building. When life’s winds howl and the waves rise, you wish greater than good intentions or wishful considering. You need the ability of Jesus to carry you firm.
If you’ve been feeling such as you’re about to be pulled under, remember this: God sees you. He’s inviting you to drop your anchor in Him.
Take the Next Step
Wherever you’re in your journey, we would like to ask you to experience the hope and healing that comes from anchoring your life in Jesus. One strategy to start is by taking a deeper dive into this truth. Sign up today and receive the primary chapter of Pastor Ed’s book A Path Through Pain without spending a dime. This chapter will aid you discover find out how to hold regular through life’s hardest storms.
Don’t wait until life’s waves overwhelm you. Anchor yourself within the unshakable hope of Christ today.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Grant Faint
Through Ed Young Ministries, Ed extends his passion for helping people grow of their faith by providing inspirational content, online sermons, and practical resources for Christian living. With a heart for equipping church leaders, Ed launched C3 Global, CreativePastors.com, and the Creative Church Conference (C3)—initiatives that supply coaching, teaching, and resources to 1000’s of pastors and ministry leaders. He can also be a prolific writer, addressing topics akin to leadership, marriage, and Christian living. His New York Times bestselling book, Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse, challenges couples to strengthen their relationships through biblical principles. Other popular titles include The Marriage Mirror, The Creative Leader, and Outrageous, Contagious Joy.
For powerful messages, life-changing resources, and ways to grow in your faith, visit Ed Young Ministries.
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