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In the Storm My Anchor Holds by Rocky Fleming

January 25, 2022

Life is not smooth sailing.  If you are over ten years old you would have already realized it, even though you might still hold to a ten-year old’s perspective that, “It’s just not fair to me!”  Have you ever had one of your children say this to you, while he or she has no idea how really good life is for them in comparison?  Does God hear it from His children, maybe even you and me when we complain to Him about being unfairly treated?  I think when He hears us complain about life being unfair, He just rolls His eyes and thinks, “Will they ever get it?  They have not been treated fairly because the world is unfair.  But I’ve given them My grace and mercy to weather an unfair world, and that is enough to counter the unfairness that they encounter.  Will they not praise Me for what I have given to them, and live with thanksgiving for those things rather than complaining that they have been treated unfairly?”

This question from the Lord is a penetrating question to me, as it shakes me and reminds me that my life has been treated more than fair.  If I had been given a fair life then I would get what I deserve, for it is only fair that justice be served both ways.  The fact is, I only want justice and fairness for myself when I’ve been wronged.  But what about those who I’ve wronged?  What about my great debt to the Lord?  Do I want His justice, while knowing that I have more wrongs against Him than rights?  No!  I have been given His mercy and grace and that is the only way that I can have a relationship with Him.  I’ve been given the best deal, and it is because of this I must weather the storms of life that hurt me, challenge me, confound me, and threaten me.  I must hold on to a different perspective … one that holds me in place with Him.  You see, God is my ANCHOR when the storms of unfair conditions come out of nowhere, and it is this attachment to Him that keeps me steady when chaos is all around me.

Recently, and in fact as I write this, I’m isolated from my family, my home, my office, and every one of my loved ones and friends.  I’ve been taken from “my world” because of Covid and quarantine.  I’m not sick.  I’m doing well physically.  But they aren’t, and they want me away from them.  Recently I’ve also had to endure some unfair insults by someone who has some emotional and anger issues that surface when his “hot button” is hit. It’s like an invisible, unknown, or unexplained hot button.  I don’t know what it is or when he might erupt.   It’s unfair to have to relate and adapt to such behavior with a person.  It’s unfair to not answer in kind the same way I’ve been spoken to.  It’s unfair that someone else’s emotional issues make you a target.  It’s unfair that I must be the stable one and go the extra mile while being insulted.  But isn’t that what Jesus has asked us to do?   Has He not asked me to allow His mercy and grace to me to overpower my desire to be treated fairly?

Years ago, I had a man who likely stole from me by fraud.  It is not proven, for I did not seek a judgment, or fairness.  But I had enough evidence to make a case if I had pursued it.  The thing that stopped me was an interaction that I had with the Lord, as He reminded me that He has called me to a different perspective, one that changes my reactions and behavior.  In my inner being here is the conversation we had:

God: “My child I want you to be my champion in this situation.”

Me: “But Lord he stole from me.”

God: “What’s yours is mine.  He stole from Me.” (first perspective adjustment)

Me: “How can I be Your champion in this?”

God: “I want you to reflect My Son and His values.” 

Me: “What do I do to do this?”

God: “My Son always treated people fairly, but never demanded it for Himself.  He showed people mercy by not giving them what they deserved.  But more than these things, He gave them His grace by giving His life for them ... for you.

God: “I want you to always be fair to people, but never demand it for yourself.  I know this will be one of the hardest things you will have to battle through.  But My mercy and grace will be your anchor when those times come.  If you stand firm with me, I will pour blessings over you that will more than make up for being unfairly treated, for you will bring delight to Me by honoring Me in such a way.”

After this intimate conversation with God, I obeyed His leadership and did the things with the man the Lord wanted, by forgiving him and his debt to me.  True to His word the financial loss was made up within a few months in a marvelous and supernatural way that could come by way of God alone.  He walked me through the minefield of emotions and betrayal and the demand for justice that my sense of fairness initially wanted. God gave me something far more valuable than fairness could give.

There are a multitude of wrongs and unfair situations we will face, for we live in a world that is characterized by it.  It is a fallen world.  It is a world and a value system that Jesus has redeemed His family from.  As His family we are to live in this world but not by its standards of behavior.  We shouldn’t think that this world will get better or think that every unfair situation in our life will be rectified by the people of this world who offend us, even fellow believers.  We must live in contrast to it.  We must be God’s Champions while we live out this life.  Though it is difficult and seemingly impossible, with God’s mercy and grace to us, and being reminded of it, we will have an anchor for our soul to fasten to.  Then we will ride out the storm.

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:19-21 ESV