“This hope we have for an anchor of the soul…” (Hebrews 6:19)
I recall a time in my recent past when I was going through a sad and difficult situation, and I remember feeling like I was “drifting” aimlessly, like my life had no purpose or direction. I felt utterly lost and hopeless.You may feel like this now. It is during difficult times such as these that we need an anchor for our souls to keep our spirit steady and strong amid a sea of troubles. Through this article, I would like to recommend how the Bible can be such an anchor for our souls.
1.The Bible provides a source of hope.
As Hebrews 6:19 says, hope is an anchor of the soul. So, where can we find hope? The Bible also says that “hope (or faith) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
The Bible is teeming in verses that will lift your troubled heart and mind. It is also offers numerous true accounts of people who triumphed over their problems through God’s help. Reading about all this can give you the hope you need during your own difficult times.
2. The Bible provides comfort.
I cannot count the number of times that I have run to God’s word for refuge, searching for words of comfort–and found them every time. The Bible offers verse after verse of God’s unfailing love, mercy, and comfort. Here are just a few of them:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (II Corinthians 1:3-4)
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You, and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me.” (Psalm 57:1-3)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn form me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
3. The Bible provides direction.
“Direct my steps by Your word.” (Psalm 119:133)
When in hopeless situations, one of the things we most often need and want is for someone to tell us what to do. How many times have you said, “I just don’t know what to do?” The Bible gives us the direction we desperately need. We just have to open it and search it like you would a map if you wanted directions to a physical location.
Trust in God with all your heart, acknowledge Him, He will direct you. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God’s word is like a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105)
God’s word is sweeter than honey, warning us of things that can lead us down the wrong path. (Psalm 19:7-11)
4. God’s word cleanses us.
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:9)
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)
In what way does the Bible cleanse us? By reading it and following it, the Bible can cleanse you of things that help make your life difficult, such as negativity, fear, and doubt. It can also cleanse you of sins that separate you from God. Allowing the Bible to cleanse you of these things gives you more room to focus on positive things and hope, which anchors your soul.
5. The Bible provides wisdom.
From financial advice to handling relationships, the Bible is filled with wisdom on how to best handle difficult situations. We do ourselves a disservice when we ignore the Bible’s wisdom. There is so much contained within its pages that can teach us things that will enrich our lives with happiness and peace. If we never seek the Bible’s wisdom, we miss out on all this.
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalm 119:97-99)
6. The Bible reveals God’s promises.
When you are in a bad situation, and someone comes along and promises to help you, you often will cling to the hope of that promise because you believe that is all you have. People often make promises and fail to back them up, but God’s promises are unfailing. Knowing what God’s promises are for you can give you the hope and anchor you desperately need during your troubling times.
The apostle Peter says that through the knowledge of God, we have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises…” (II Peter 1:3-4)
“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5)
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
7.God’s word provides a guide for success and prosperity.
Like a map to a treasure chest, God’s word is a map to success. King Hezekiah learned this and followed it, and He experienced prosperity. (II Chronicles 31:20-21)
God told Joshua that His Law, and His word would make him prosperous and successful as long as he never departed from it. (Joshua 1:8)
The person who delights in God’s word and lives by it will experience prosperity. (Psalm 1:1-3)
8.The Bible provides peace.
If your mind and heart are heavy with troubles, simply opening the Bible and reading will take your mind off your troubles. What’s more, it offers you verses that will lift your heart and fill your with peace.
“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands, for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1-2)
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)
9. The Bible provides good examples to follow.
God’s word is jam-packed with true accounts of people who triumphed over difficult and impossible circumstances through God’s help. The more we read about these people and their experiences, we can learn to imitate their faith and allow God to act in our lives like He did for them. When we follow after these examples, our lives are made happier, and our faith becomes a solid anchor that holds us steady through the storms of life.
