While enduring this COVID crisis and experiencing some crazy life circumstances and the feelings that accompany them, I find myself pondering two strong words: “angered” and “anchored.”

To be angered or anchored has been the question I’ve been wrestling with for quite some time. Honestly, it has been an ongoing battle that has come to the forefront as we continue to be compelled to stay home and remain on guard against the virus while feeling frustrated and disheartened by all the altered plans.

This question first arose seven years ago as I finished writing my book about our eldest daughter and her journey with cancer and how our faith held us strong. I was at the copy center with the first pages of my manuscript and I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. She was curious as to what I had been up to and I shared about my book-writing endeavor. The discussion continued for a little while and she asked me the title of my book. Over the background hum of the printer noise I said, “Anchored” and her response caught me off guard.

“The title is Angered?” she questioned.

I wondered how she heard that, but as I confirmed my title and said “Anchored” aloud again it definitely did in fact phonetically resemble “angered.” Surprisingly enough, I came back with a quick response: The book definitely could have been titled that, considering the different negative emotions our family dealt with after the loss of our daughter and her five year battle with cancer, but no, the title I reassured her was indeed Anchored.

As I departed and headed for home I began to ponder this title confusion and how both words rang true in my heart. I have felt angry many times but by staying anchored in my faith and holding to God’s promises I have found hope and strength. Over the years I have discovered some truth that has really helped me in my battle with these two responses.

“Angered” literally means a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility. Irritated.

I find myself battling waves of anger as I continue to persevere through this pandemic. Since the pace of life has slowed down there has been more time to be still and just think on things and to lean into the surge of emotions I’m feeling. To be honest, I am angry about some specific things (just to name a few):

  • The plans to see our daughter and her family in North Carolina have been put on hold for the third time due to my daughter’s pregnancy and the potential risk to her and the baby by spreading the virus from the airplane or wherever this enemy germ could be lurking as we travel. I am annoyed with the change in my plans.

  • I am forced to confront other angry feelings that are resurfacing from my past life experiences and am very irritated that our family has had to endure the hugest storms that have come our way. If I choose to let the emotion of anger overtake me like a powerful tidal wave I can truly start to sink into a deep dark place.

  • The plans for The Anchor to gather together (in person) to encourage one another and to be anchored in faith and friendship have had to be completely revamped and have taken on a new direction through the virtual world just when it was really gaining momentum and starting in new communities in the Northwest and elsewhere.

I am finding that basically it’s as simple as this: I am angered because things just aren’t going my way. Can you relate? Are things not going your way? Are you feeling as frustrated as I am? Well, we’re all in this boat together.

I have come to the conclusion that we really have two choices in the way we respond to what life brings. We can choose to live angered or anchored. I have found that it is healthy to acknowledge my anger and frustration and then bring it to the Lord to help me carry these feelings. It’s OK to be angry but it is how I act out when I am overcome with these strong emotions that shapes my experiences. Plain and simple: living angry takes the joy out of living.

We can choose to live anchored. To be anchored means to be held firm and secure. I have found that holding tight to the Truths of God and being grounded in His promises has held me strong and able to rise above those feelings of anger. His peace brings a calm to my stormy sea of emotions. I can rest assured and anchored in God’s truths, His love and His faithfulness — anchored in His truths that He loves us, hears us, never leaves us and never forgets us. He has my life in His hands.

We are anchored in His unfailing love. This reminds me of a message I will never forget. I had been reading about what Billy Graham wished he could do over in his life.

He wished he had spent more time in the Bible, stayed home more by traveling less, and lived more fully by the chapter on love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

It really struck me when he suggested that we imagine what our world could be like if we all really lived anchored to God’s love as defined in those verses. When I’m focused on these attributes of God’s love, I find it easier to let go of my anger.

It is even helpful to meditate on each quality of love as described in this verse:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

(1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7)

Anchored in His faithfulness. I can never say enough how much strength, confidence and joy come when we remember His faithfulness and goodness to us.

Every day we get to choose the way we will respond to what comes our way. Will it be “angered” or “anchored?”

Let’s help encourage one another to choose to live ANCHORED to the hope we have been given in Jesus our anchor that holds firm and secure!

Sharing Strength & Hope

Now that our blog has officially launched (wow!) we’ll be sharing more content with you each week. Check your inbox on Tuesday mornings for content that will inspire you and grow your hope in Jesus, such as:

  • Articles from founder and director Katie Robertson
  • Posts featuring the Anchor Truths (with free phone backgrounds and art prints!)
  • Guest articles and videos from women anchored in their faith
  • Content to uplift you, encourage you, and help you anchor yourself in the hope of Jesus

We can’t wait to make the vision of The Anchor Blog a reality!