Physically, my strength and health had deteriorated. But it was not only the pain and diagnosis of cancer that brought me into a crisis situation. There were also other challenges and disappointments that seemed to pile up and collide all at once. My wife and I were both in the throes of a storm. The waves seemed to overwhelm me. I must admit to suicidal thoughts on more than one occasion. I knew that was not the answer. I had seen the pain and suffering that suicide had inflicted on loved ones left behind. I could not deny my God or my faith.

In reality we have very little control over our emotions, but we do have control over our thoughts and our thoughts determine our feelings and our responses. I knew that I must fill my mind with the knowledge of God and His Word. I needed to see life from God’s perspective and respond accordingly in faith and in hope. I cried out to God and told Him I didn’t think I had any more strength to hold on. God told me, “That’s okay. Let Me be your strength.”

As I prayed and meditated on God’s Word, my mind, soul, and body were renewed. Two scripture passages were very meaningful to me and filled me with renewed hope along with other scripture promises.

David’s Psalm of “Thanksgiving for deliverance from death” says, “Sing praise to Lord, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:4, 5). When I began to practice thanksgiving and praise, even in the raging storm, and affirmed that “weeping may endure for the night but joy is coming in the morning”, God began leading me out of my wilderness. He filled me with hope.

Another meaningful scripture God led me to was the account of the apostle Paul’s shipwreck off the coast of Malta. On a ship sailing to Rome to stand trial for his faith in Christ, Paul’s ship encountered a terrible storm of hurricane proportions. For several days neither the sun nor the stars appeared. All hope to be saved was abandoned. (See Acts 27.) Coming to the Island of Malta (verse 27) “Fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast out four anchors and wished for day.” But God had assured Paul that there would be no loss of life.

We have four anchors that will secure us in the raging storms of life. They are called faith, hope, love, and what I call resting on the Rock of Ages.

To rise above the storms of life we must put faith in God’s promises. His Word is an anchor of the soul. Should the economy come crashing down; we have God’s promise to supply all of our needs, if we will trust in Him (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25-34). If disease roars in fury, Jesus is our healer (Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53:5). For every fear, God has a promise. For every trauma, He holds a triumph.

In darkness, Jesus is the light. In trouble, He is our helper. In weeping, He is joy. In confusion, He is certainty. In suffering, He is hope. In a crisis, He is unshakable. The strength to go through is not found in us, but in Him. Paul told them, “take courage, for I believe God” (Acts 27:25).

Another anchor for our soul is hope. “They cast four anchors from the stern and wished for day” (Acts 27:29). Jesus is hope (I Timothy 1:1). His Word will bring hope. “As a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the day star arises in your hearts” (II Peter 1:19). Paul’s prescription for good mental health involved setting our mind on things above (Colossians 3:2). He then told us what to set our mind on (Philippians 4:8). Invite the Holy Spirit, the God of Hope to fill you (Romans 15:4, 13).

Another anchor in the storm is God’s love for you. You must realize God loves you and will never let you go. He longs to embrace you with his love. When I was a child I was afraid to go out to the coal shed alone for a bucket of coal. In the dark I imagined all kinds of monsters were lurking out there. But when my dad went with me, I had no fear. I knew because he loved me that he would protect me. “Perfect love casts out all fear” (I John 4:18).

If you will surrender yourself to God and love Him, He promises to be with you. “Because he has loved me, therefore, I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high. He will call upon me. I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him” (Psalm 91:14-15).

Another anchor for the soul is resting on the rock of ages. Safety, security, comfort, courage, and hope are found in Jesus. Whatever we need we can go to the rock of ages our salvation. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1, 2).

When Paul’s ship broke up on the rocks, the sailors and prisoners grabbed planks and various things from the ship and swam or floated safely to land (Acts 17:44). Friend, if you are in a storm you can rest on Jesus. He will carry you through. Let Him be your hope and help (Psalm 107:28-30).

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30). You don’t have to carry your heavy burden alone. Give it to Jesus and rest in His hope.