I was recently given a beautiful necklace with an anchor on it. Wearing it has made me reflect on the One Who has held me firmly in my place, providing me with stability and confidence in uncertain situations.

In fact, I recalled a childhood memory which was one of the most frightening moments of my life.  I was eight years old and on a LONG flight from New York to India with my family. I was surrounded by families like mine who were on vacation to visit grandparents and extended family members.  As it was nearing time for lunch, the flight attendants had started walking down the aisles with the carts to serve our meals.

It began to feel a bit bumpy and the pilot announced that we were experiencing some turbulence.  For anyone who’s flown on an airplane, that sounded like a normal occurrence so we just made sure our seat belts were fastened and prepared to have our meal.  The only thing is that the unsteadiness increased and it seemed like the plane suddenly dropped in altitude.  I still remember feeling as if my stomach had sunk to my toes. Passengers began to worry and as we felt more turbulence, panic spread across the plane.  I saw beverages spilling and the food carts flying down the aisle as the flight attendants began dashing to their seats.  Screaming and crying ensued all throughout the plane as the pilot announced he was going to make an emergency landing.

My young mind just couldn’t wrap itself around what was happening until I saw my family crying. I realized that when the strongest people I knew were frightened, then something terrible was about to happen. Tears rolled down my cheeks as the plane continued to plummet and I heard deafening shouts.  As panic spread that our plane could crash and we could possibly die, a booming voice began to implore everyone to calm down.  It was a fellow passenger who urged everyone to stop crying and shouting.  He declared that God was with us and would protect us.  This man spoke Scriptures of God’s love and salvation and told everyone to call on God to save us.

The turbulence slowly began to decrease.  The plane steadily ascended.  There was complete stability. Then, the pilot announced that an emergency landing would no longer be required. We were safe and could continue on our course as planned.  Passengers began to cry out with relief and gratitude.  The older male passenger who had boldly and courageously called on God shouted praises that we were saved.  What a mighty God we serve!

I don’t know what storm you presently find yourself in.  Maybe you feel afraid and hopeless. Perhaps you think you’re going to drown and that you’ve been forsaken.  That’s how the disciples felt when caught in a storm at sea. But when they called on Jesus, He said “Peace, be still” and “there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39 ESV). In “Eye of the Storm”, Ryan Stevenson sings:

“In the eye of the storm,
You remain in control,
You alone are the anchor,
Your love surrounds me”

Don’t lose hope sweet Friend.  Trust in God and He will give you peace.  “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”  (Proverbs 18:10)  He is our Anchor.

~Joyce