An Anchored Soul

 

In Priscilla Jane Owens’ 1882 hymn, she asks,

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?

This world is in turmoil, and it is seeping into our personal spaces – there is chaos everywhere you turn.

But, despite all that is churning up around you, imagine waking up each morning with a confident hope, not because your situation has changed but because your soul is anchored in something that’s deeper than your troubles.

Theological platitudes can only give relief to a downcast soul for a short time, all they do is act as a placebo – a temporary fix and not a long-term solution.

God’s incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, is an unwavering anchor for your soul. He is the Rock which cannot move, it is in Him that your soul must be firmly and deeply anchored.

Troubles come to all of us, but an anchored soul in Jesus will buffet life’s fiercest storms.

A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water…Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm. – Mark 4:37 & 39 (ERV)

Your boat may be almost full of water but do not panic, know that the same Jesus who stilled the wind and calmed the waves is with you today. Jesus is the only anchor that can keep your soul steady in the most turbulent times; in Him is your peace, your strength and your hope.

God’s Word tells us to,

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. – Romans 12:12 (NLT)

I know all too well just how difficult it is to rejoice and be patient during the storms of life, but you must determine to do so because these are the seasons when your most holy faith is built up.

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! – Jude 1:20-21 (MSG)

Beloved, an anchored soul in Jesus Christ is the real life. He is the Living Word on whom you can depend and in whom you can place your confident hope (ref. Psalm 42). And as you anchor your soul in Him, hold securely to the following promise of God,

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

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.

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (ERV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “An Anchored Soul” ©2026 June 21, 2026