The Worth of the Anchor

I think it is fair to say the year 2020 has been a hard one. The impact of COVID has wreaked havoc on relationships, families, businesses, churches, holidays, and mental health just to name a few. Stress levels are definitely high. In the midst of all of this chaos I have taken the time to look up encouraging quotes from one of my favorite authors, Corrie ten Boom, who survived the horrors of World War II when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. I was particularly struck by her quote: “In order to realize the worth of the anchor we need to feel the stress of the storm.”

In my younger days I owned a sailboat and enjoyed sailing on days with gentle breezes; however, the weather can change very quickly and more than once I found myself careening across the water moving much more quickly than was comfortable. In some cases all I could do was drop the sail, drop the anchor, and pray for calmer weather. In calm weather I never gave much thought to the importance of the anchor. It seemed to take up too much room; I was sure I could handle anything. In the midst of the stress of the storm I came to understand the worth of the anchor.

Andrae Crouch in his song “Through It All” shared a similar sentiment.

I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys.
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them.
I’d never know what faith in God could do.

I’m also reminded of the hymn, “In Times Like These”. Its words remind me of my need for a Savior in good times and bad. In times of stress and testing we find out what we really believe, who we can depend on, and where our salvation comes from. Our anchor, Jesus, does not weigh us down, he stabilizes our journey through the storms and stresses of our lives.

I am learning that I cannot live my life without Jesus as my anchor at all times. The seas are not always stormy and life is not always stressful, yet my need for Jesus is constant. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. – Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)

My anchor holds and grips the solid rock.