There's no way around it. When a loved one grapples with addiction, it feels as if their every emotion is directly transmitted to you. Every peak and valley, each moment of elation and despair, becomes yours to bear. And amidst this turbulent sea of emotion, it's easy to find yourself lost, adrift, wondering when the next wave might come crashing down.
But amidst the storm, it's paramount to find a steadfast anchor. If not, your well-intentioned efforts and deep love can end up dragging you further into the vast tempest that is addiction.
I recently delved into how one selects the perfect anchor for a ship. Interestingly, a ship owner's main concern isn’t the size of the anchor but its holding power. As it turns out, the most efficient anchors aren't necessarily large in proportion to the ship they're securing.
West Marine Boat Supply puts it aptly: "The holding power of modern anchors is astonishing, with some ranging from 10 to 200 times the anchor’s weight. So, anchors weighing merely 5 lb. can potentially secure over 1,000 pounds!"
The takeaway? Even a minuscule 5 lb. anchor can wield the strength to hold back 1,000 pounds.
This brings to mind Hebrews 6:19, where scripture paints a vivid image: “We have as an anchor of the soul, [a hope] both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil.”
Hope is that anchor.
Just a smidge of hope can ground us with immense force.
Hope isn't just wishful thinking—it's your strength. It's that quiet, persistent voice in your heart whispering "maybe" when everything else seems to shout "impossible". Hope is what pushes you to trust in divine providence, even when the going gets tough.
Romans 3:4-5 beautifully captures this sentiment: "And not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, for we know that suffering fosters perseverance; perseverance refines our character; and a refined character leads us back to hope. And this hope never lets us down, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, His gift to us."
Grasp onto hope. Let it be your anchor.
How is your hope holding up today? How can we join you in prayer?
