Category Archives: A Firm Anchor for our Soul

I have a friend who’s enduring a host of medical problems. They’ve been through a procedure which left them with an irritating, painful reminder of their difficulties. Sometimes the symptoms can cause isolation and loneliness. They’re trying to fight, but sometimes the pain is overwhelming. Physical and emotional pain can rule the day. And who can blame them?

My friend’s situation is only one of countless examples of life not turning out as we’ve planned. Is anyone immune to the disappointments of life’s circumstances?

Chronic disease, estranged relationships, divorce, lost jobs, financial disasters, loss of property, death. These unwelcomed “guests” spring upon us and threaten to capture our hearts. How do we prepare for such pain?

God, Are You Listening?

Believing our welfare depends on our circumstances can drive us away from God, making matters far worse than any temporal difficulty.

In Psalm 73, Asaph writes about how his life has gone “wrong”. Focused on his circumstances, he was bitter. He saw wicked folks having good times. They prospered, ate all they wanted and lived lives free of trouble. It just wasn’t fair. Was he wasting his time trying to be holy? Was God even noticing his efforts? Was He listening to his cries? If God had cared for him, surely his life would have turned out better.

Then Asaph came into the sanctuary of God. [1] He entered the Lord’s presence. This gave him a glimpse of God’s greater story. God changed his heart. A better life, he learned, depends not on his situation, but his connection to God.

After this eternal gaze, Asaph wrote to God, Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With your council You will guide me, And afterwards receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:23-24 NASB)

‘Nevertheless’ is such a significant word. It encompasses all our past pains and disappointments and brings us into this very moment. Regardless of it all, right now, we’re okay because God is with us. He takes hold of our right hand and leads us moment by moment. And when our temporal story is done, He receives us into His glory.

The Eternal Shift

Asaph may have needed to be reminded of God’s eternal work on his soul again the very next day. I know I need continual reminders. The temporal world is real. It’s where we live. The present reality is not diminished by the existence of a bigger story.

Read carefully Asaph’s conclusions and mark them in your soul. Come back to them often. Live in these truths.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth (Psalm 73:25 NASB).

But as far me, the nearness of God is my good (Psalm 73:28 NASB);

Asaph realized that nothing in heaven or on earth could complete him but God. Being with God became his better life.

Embracing eternal truth, even during life’s disappointments, allows us to continually connect to God’s greater story for our lives.

Don’t Miss the Blessings

Concerning my friend overwhelmed by pain, I’ll quote, by permission, a challenge another friend gave them.

“If you read the Bible, it’s full of people suffering. God never promised a life free of suffering, but He did promise He’ll be there through our suffering. Our choice is to accept this or not. Remember, we’re not in heaven yet. Don’t miss out on the blessings around you due to your pain.”

Embracing God’s greater story frees us from the arduous task of trying to keep our circumstances happy. Paul calls us to orient our lives around things above [2] and to set our affections on God’s greater purpose of summing up all things in Christ. [3] God doesn’t just rescue us from hell. He desires to make us whole by leading us to completeness in Christ. [4]

God wants far more for us than smooth circumstances. He doesn’t want our feelings of well-being to be anchored to something we can lose. My friend Dave Andes says, “Believe me, God isn’t committed to your comfort.”

Challenge

Reflect upon an event or situation that profoundly hurts. There may be some choices yet in your control concerning the situation. Make the next right choice.

But, even if this pain never ends, you’re okay because God is our Ever-Present Help in times of trouble. [5]

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

(Refrain from the Hymn Turn your eyes upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel 1922)

Prayer

Lord, I rest now because nothing is a surprise to You. You have my best interest in mind no matter what very hard circumstance comes my way. Please forgive me for the times I’ve “required” my life to go smoothly for me to be okay. I’m seeing more and more clearly every day that I’m eternally okay because of You and You alone.

These present difficulties are not even worthy of comparing to the glories You have in store for Your children. In fact, there’re less than nothing compared to being with You, and in Your love forever. [6]

When I walk in the reality of this truth; this greater story in which You are the author, my joy overflows. When I stray from this true reality, please correct my heart quickly I pray.

I love You Lord.

Amen

In my opinion, whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. (Romans 8:18 J.B. Phillips)

Picture Generated by AI

[1] Psalm 73:17

[2] Colossians 3:1-2

[3] Ephesians 1:10

[4] Philippians 4:10-13, Colossians 2:10

[5] Psalm 46:1

[6] Romans 8:18

Other posts in our series In the Moments:

Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing

Exploring Grace and Joy together

Stay Present My Friends

Quiddity. It Could Change Your Life

The Cake Maker’s Blunder

God at Work (No Trespassing)

Hidden with Christ in God

Finding Joy in Love and Relationships

Escaping the Rat Race

When I don’t Feel God’s Loving Kindness

Experiencing Completeness in Christ

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.

Robby Buck

Nonfiction books by the Author:

Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God’s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.

For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It’s not just a good idea, it’s vital to our journey as human beings. Rhythms of Joy

Novels by the Author:

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time

By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains

Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.

A Firm Anchor for our Soul, Our Union with Christ

Our Source of Courage

March 25, 2020 robuck4@aol.com 17 Comments

I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4 NASB)

A few days before the coronavirus changed our daily lives, I passed an advertisement for boots on a highway billboard. I was ahead of schedule, so I stopped to try a pair on. Amazed at how comfortable they are, I walked out an inch taller in a pair of brown, square toed Ariats. My love of Westerns on TV made me feel like a frontiersman, headed into wild, unchartered territories. Days later, the same adventurous spirit would be required for real life.

This tragedy is no surprise to our Lord. We have an opportunity to step into this global challenge with courage. A friend of ours[1]described it as a worldwide crack in the illusion that we can flourish without God. Rising fear is leaving folks in desperate need of peace and hope.

This season of uncertainty can be frightening for all of us. But it can also be a time of tremendous opportunity, but it’s going take more than cowboy boots and a six shooter.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (Psalm 23:4a ESV)

Circumstances are never to be our source of courage.

This virus has not created our need for the Lord, it’s revealing it.

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey understand that God has many names to describe Himself for you. The word Jehovah is His most holy and intimate name.

Rest deeply into Jehovah-shalom (the Lord our Peace). Peace is a Person. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)

Trust Jehovah-rapha (the Lord who heals). Whatever is exposed can be healed. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:2-3 ESV)

Rely completely upon Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will Provide). The Lord already sees our needs. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

Depend totally upon Jehovah-raah (the Lord my Shepherd). He will guide our every step. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 ESV)

Lord, these tumultuous times call for great courage. We come to you with every fear, laying all our burdens upon You. Despite what we see around us, we know You love us. You Indwell us and are our Source of Courage. We trust you with our lives. May we boldly seize all opportunities to testify about You to everyone you bring our way. Amen.

[1] Stacy Hill

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

A Firm Anchor for our Soul, Being okay in spite of great pain

Embracing God’s Greater Story Even in Our Pain (Republished In the Moments)

February 12, 2019 robuck4@aol.com 2 Comments

Embracing God’s Greater Story

Embracing God’s greater story frees us from the arduous task of trying to keep our circumstances happy. Paul calls us to orient our lives around things above[1] and to set our affections on God’s greater purpose of summing up all things in Christ.[2] God doesn’t want to just rescue us from hell. He desires to make us whole by leading us to find our completeness in Christ alone.[3]

God wants far more for us than happy circumstances. He doesn’t want our feelings of well-being to be anchored to something we can lose. As my friend Dave Andes says, “I can assure you, God is not committed to your comfort.”

But giving up the idol of a happy life in exchange for a life built on God’s eternal purposes isn’t easy, especially when we’re in the midst of life’s pains.

Enduring Life’s Pains

I have a friend who’s been through a host of medical problems. They’ve been through a procedure which left them with an irritating, painful reminder of their difficulties. Sometimes the symptoms can cause isolation and loneliness. They’re trying to fight, but sometimes the pain is overwhelmingly discouraging. Physical and emotional pain can rule the day. And who can blame them?

My friend’s situation is only one of countless examples of life not turning out as we’ve planned. The older we get, the more we realize certain aspects of our lives just aren’t going to turn out like we thought they would. Is anyone immune to the disappointments of life’s circumstances?

Chronic disease, separation from loved ones, divorce, lost jobs, financial disasters, loss of property, death. These unwelcomed “guests” spring upon us and threaten to capture our hearts. How do we prepare for such pain? How do we keep our disappointments from turning into daily discouragements?

God, Are You Listening?

As long as we think our welfare is tied to our circumstances, our pain can drive us away from God, making matters far worse than any temporal difficulty.

In Psalm 73, Asaph was going through a pity party. Focused on his circumstances, he was bitter. He saw folks, he considered wicked, having good times. They prospered, eat all they wanted and lived lives free of trouble. It just wasn’t fair. Asaph had tried to live a good life, but it seemed that was in vain. Was God even noticing his efforts? Was He listening to his cries? If God cared about him, surely his life would have turned out better.

The Better Life

Then Asaph came into the sanctuary of God.[4] He entered the Lord’s presence. When he did, he was given a glimpse of God’s greater story. His heart was changed. He realized a better life is not about his circumstances, but about the nearness of God.

‘Nevertheless’ is such a great word. All of our pains and disappointments can be swallowed up in the totality of this word. Regardless of it all, right now, we’re okay because God is with us. He takes hold of our right hand and leads us moment by moment. And when our temporal story is done, He receives us into His glory.

Eternal Shift

Asaph may have needed to be reminded of God’s eternal work on his soul again the very next day. I know I need continual reminders. The temporal world is real. It’s where we feel. Just because there’s a greater story going on, doesn’t mean the here and now is less real.

Read carefully Asaph’s conclusions and mark them in your soul. Come back to them often. Live in these truths.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth (Psalm 73:25 NASB).

But as far me, the nearness of God is my good (Psalm 73:28 NASB);

Asaph came to the realization that nothing in heaven or on earth could complete him but God. Being with God became his good, his better life.

Walking in this truth, exposes the lie that we need anything but the Lord to be okay. Even in the midst of life’s disappointments, I can stay committed to something far greater than my own comfort.

Don’t Miss the Blessings

Concerning my friend who was shallowed up in pain, I’ll quote, by permission, a challenge issued to them by another friend.

“If you read the Bible it’s full of people suffering. God never promised a life free of suffering, but He did promise He’ll be there though our suffering. Our choice is to accept this or not. Remember, we’re not in heaven yet. Don’t let the pain cause you to miss the blessings which are all around you.”

Challenge

Think about a circumstance in your life which has caused you great pain. There may be some choices yet in your control concerning the situation. Make the next right choice.

But, even if this pain never ends, nevertheless, you’re okay because God is near, an Ever Present Help in times of trouble.[5]

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

(Refrain from the Hymn Turn your eyes upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel 1922)

[1] Colossians 3:1-2

[2] Ephesians 1:10

[3] Philippians 4:10-13, Colossians 2:10

[4] Psalm 73:17

[5] Psalm 46:1

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.