Friday, November 8, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Being There

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Over the next two days, we will delve into how very important it is for us to be ANCHORED to God in order to help those who are hurting grasp on to the true ANCHOR of our SOULS.

When I was presented with the awesome opportunity to minister to someone I dearly loved while she was bravely battling an illness, my only thought was to BE THERE for my dear friend...like she had always been for me. What I did not realize was how my faith and her faith would increase in the process as we truly became anchored in our faith through our focus on Him.

One definition for an anchor is a person or thing that provides strength and support. Another one is something that serves to hold an object firmly.

During my friend's illness, I fulfilled the first definition of the word anchor in her life....I was able to provide spiritual strength and support for her. However, I could not have done this without God fulfilling the second definition for me - I needed Him to firmly hold me in His arms when I needed His strength.

Interestingly, an anchor was used in the Greek world as a picture for hope. To maintain my hope, her hope, I had to go to MY anchor ... my God for help because I simply did not have all of the answers for the questions that I knew she had - that her family had. Why was she facing this? What would happen?

Today's scripture was the one that I held on to when my friend received her diagnosis, during her treatment, and through the inception of Constant Friend - which was inspired by her unwavering faith.

Although I knew what I hoped for in this situation, and I was certain of the results - that God WOULD work out all things - I did not always have the words. I had to rely on His words ... His support ... His strength.

My challenge to you today is to look for opportunities to be used by God to BE THERE for individuals who desperately need to be ANCHORED to Him in their time of despair. Accept His call to speak words of HOPE into their lives which will in turn help to build their FAITH as well as increase your own faith!

Dear Lord, You are my Rock and my Strength - always present in times of trouble. Help me to anchor my heart in You in order to withstand the testings and trials of life that come my way.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.