This blog has been adapted from In God We Trust: Five Anchor Points in Turbulent Times by Dr. Steve Whitaker and Matt McGee. This week, Upper School house groups will be discussing this topic with their teachers and classmates.

If you ask many today, they don’t see much hope for our culture, our country or the future generations. Our country of traditional values and rewarding hard work is no longer recognizable. The question arises, “How do we make a life when all around us there is little to hope in, little that we can rely on?”

There is an old story of an inexperienced sailor who, upon hearing of a coming storm, fastened his boat the dock. The crew spent hours making sure the ropes were strong and each knot was tight. When the job was nearly complete, an old sailor informed them their ship was doomed. He knew from experience that their ship and the dock could be destroyed due to the magnitude of this storm. The only hope was to go out to sea and anchor deep.

Like those sailors, we are searching frantically for a way to anchor our ship. How will we weather the impending turbulence? We must face the storm and we will anchor deep. There are “docks” in our world disguised as safe harbors. Take a moment and think about commercials you see on TV and the distinct way they offer a place for you to dock and find safety. Money, popularity, romantic relationships, and even a new pair of shoes promise to satisfy us, but they never do.

God’s people were constantly faced with a similar decision in the Old Testament. Sometimes they chose God and found hope that never disappointed. Sadly, many times they chose anchor points that failed.

Though many claim to be a source of hope in troubled times, there is only One Who has demonstrated powerfully and with finality their ability to be a true hope. 1 Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

No matter what circumstances come our way in this life, Jesus promises eternal life for those that follow him. That eternal life is secure. It can never perish, spoil, or fade. It will not change. God can be trusted, relied on, and is a secure anchor point because He has proven Himself. He is who He says He is. He is a promise-keeping God. He has not failed yet. Even when all seemed hopeless and it looked like all was lost, Christ rose from the grave.

In times like these I am reminded of the prayer in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” I find great comfort in the knowledge that even when it seems futile to continue hoping, God is able to give joy and peace. By the power of the Holy Spirit I will continue believing. I will anchor deep in trust to Him alone.

If you still need a copy of In God We Trust, please visit Amazon or the TFA School Store Website.