The calm between storms

I was talking with one of our members this week, asking how they were
getting along. She said, "Well, I think we are past the difficult times
right now." To which I replied, "Well, it may just be calm between storms."

That's really true, (I think)! This adventure we call life seems to go from
one difficulty or challenge to another for most people. It seems that it is
rare for someone's life to go smoothly with no storms or no disturbances in
it. What often defines us; is how we deal with the storms of life. What
keeps us steady or keeps us from getting blown away when difficult, stormy
times hit our lives?

There is an old hymn titled, "We have an anchor" that says it well. Notice
the words:

"Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, When the clouds unfold their
wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will
your anchor drift or firm remain?

It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand, For 'tis well secured by
the Savior's hand; And the cables, passed from His heart to mine, Can defy
that blast, thro' strength divine.

It will firmly hold in the straits of fear, When the breakers have told the
reef is near; Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow, Not an angry
wave shall our bark overflow.

Chorus:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billows
roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the
Savior's love."

The writer of Hebrews says it this way: "So God has given both his promise
and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for
God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great
confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong
and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into
God's inner sanctuary." (Hebrews 6:18-19, NLT)

What is your anchor? We all face storms at sometime or another and often we
have periods of calm, but we know that as long as Satan has influence over
people, the storms will come again. What is your anchor in the times of
storms? If it is not God and His Word, then it will never really hold when
the storms come in your life, (cf. Matthew 7:24-29).

Russ Lawson