A Promise that is Trustworthy

I’m on vacation this week and I’m sharing something from my most recent book, A Trustworthy Anchor. Hope you enjoy the sample below, and if you don’t have a copy of the entire book, you can order here:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

This verse inspired me more than a decade ago. Within four short years, I had lost two husbands to death. Eighteen years ago, I never believed I’d love anyone like I loved my first husband, Bill, but I was surprised.

After two years, I found love again. I married Blair and we delighted in each other and our second chance at love. I expected many years with this man; but it was not to be for after seventeen months, he died suddenly.
I disliked being alone. I didn’t like being a widow. And honestly, I felt cheated, for I’d expected to have more years with my second husband, but after only seventeen months, he died suddenly. The days and nights dragged on, day after day, night after night. There wasn’t anything tangible I could latch on to but hope in those days. Hope that I wouldn’t feel so lonely, so lost. I was comforted with memories of my life with my first husband, and then my second. As I coped through lonely nights, longing for sleep when it wouldn’t come, I placed my hope in Jesus Christ. Although I had trusted in Jesus for my salvation many years earlier, my relationship became even closer and more intimate during those many months. He was the calm in my storm. An anchor.

I’m reminded of an old hymn that tells us to hold fast:

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.

Priscilla J. Owens, 1829-1907

During the storms in your life, I can tell you of a sure anchor on which you can rely. That anchor will keep you “steadfast and sure.” It is Jesus Christ, the One who died for you and then rose from death. He promises eternal life with Him when you acknowledge your sin and believe he did these things for you.

I attempted to read fiction to escape the reality of my loss, but I could not. Yet I could always—even in deep grief—meditate on God’s word. It was my anchor then, and continues to be after those losses. The above hymn is based on these words from the New Testament: This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

The days of being alone was a good thing for me. I entered through the curtain of God’s inner sanctuary that I may not have experienced without those deaths.

If you aren’t in a storm, you will be one day. And that’s when the anchor digs deeper and keeps you steady. There is hope in the promise from the prophet, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).

It is my prayer that the meditations coupled with my short stories will inspire you to read further in the precious love letter from God, the Bible. In the inspired words, you will find hope, promise, comfort, and truth for your life. Grasp on to the truth of God’s word. Study it. Ask God to reveal what He would have you learn from His word. Take this time—whether you are in a storm or not—to read and consider words that will encourage, build your faith, and bring joy.

I learned to be content in the state of singleness and at just the right time, God brought a wonderful man into my life. We married ten years ago and together have leaned in on the truth of the Scripture and have grown together spiritually. We understand how second chances—whether it is reconnecting with God, in improved marriages, or even finding love again is totally the work of our Creator. My husband Jim and I have experienced great joy in finding each other. You might be reading stories from my life about one of the three marriages.

What a promise God gives us to be our anchor. A trustworthy one. What hope that God has a plan for each one of us who put our faith and trust in Him. A plan for good and not evil. To give a future and a hope. I pray you will receive hope and encouragement, and trust the Anchor in the storms or calm, as you read these meditations.

I’ve been praying for you, my dear reader, that you will experience God’s hope, comfort, and truth through the storms in your life. If you are not in a storm right now, you will be at some time and this is your time to envelop yourself in God’s promises through his Word. Then when the storm comes, you’ll be fully anchored and grounded in the Savior’s love.