At the end of last summer, my wife Nancy and I were in the Orlando, FL area caring for our son. Because of his recent back surgery, we flew down to stay with him so his wife could return to work immediately.

We planned to remain there for two weeks, but on the weekend of our return flight, Hurricane Irma decided to arrive. All flights were canceled. So, we hunkered down and stocked up on ice and bottled water.

Irma came. The windows whistled and rattled. Candles and flashlights were the only things that were able to illuminate our small world. Our great granddaughter Aubriella was afraid, as were some of the adults, although they camouflaged it well. We lost power for a few days and the winds were strong enough to do some minor damage to my son’s home. We “weathered” the storm.

Wind. Storms. Darkness. Have you ever used the phrase, “that blew me away?” Well, if you’ve ever fished on a lake during a windy day, you know what that really means, as well as the importance of having an anchor (sinker), especially if you want to stay where the fish are. Otherwise, you’ll be “blown away.”

Metaphorically, hurricane-like forces often push against us – the winds of change, pressure from peers, temptations, stress from physical problems, uncertainty about the future, financial woes, relational conflicts, etc.

During times like these, we need a firm foundation, a place upon which to stand secure. We also need an anchor to keeps us from drifting. Without an anchor, we are simply at the mercy of the forces pushing against us, and we are left to drift back and forth and away from where we need to be.

In the Bible, the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that we have “an anchor for the soul” in these “two unchangeable things”: God’s nature and the fact that he will do what he says (Hebrews 6:18-19). God is always the same; he never changes. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He declared in the book of Malachi that He changes not (Malachi 3:6), ever!

We can count on him to be with us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Also, God always tells the truth and keeps his promises.

Being the “old guy” that I am, I remember a hymn that we sang when I was a new believer in 1975. It went like this…

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

When you begin to feel yourself drifting in response to the winds of change, drop your anchor of faith into these truths and live in hope. If you do, you will be able to weather any storm.