As the tender launched from our cruise ship to take us to a nearby tropical island, I noticed the massive anchor chain dropping down into the sea. It was huge. Herculean. And I couldn’t help but consider the size of the anchor laying on the ocean floor. It was large enough and strong enough to hold a 70,000 ton ship from moving.

The sea wasn’t calm. Large swells and six foot waves crashed into the hull of the ship most of the day. Our tender was bouncing around like a ping pong ball but the cruise ship with it’s massive anchor never budged, there was no drifting, and no movement.

That’s not always the case with our faith, is it? When life’s struggles crash into your life does your faith waiver? One thing that causes us to struggle with our faith is deep disappointment with the way life has turned out. I’m sure you can quickly count a number of people who feel they were dealt a bad hand in life. As Christians, we believe God can change things. But when it seems that he’s content to stand by and let us live what we consider a mediocre life, we naturally doubt his presence, goodness, or both.

Another thing that causes us to question our faith is when we experience serious brokenness. Life hasn’t just been unfair, it’s been hazardous. Maybe you can identify with French writer Anatole France who wrote this short poem: “Born, Suffered, Died.” Ever feel like this could have been written about your life? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people suffer with their faith because of devastating circumstances. Life has not only disappointed and hurt us; it has crushed us. Perhaps a loved one died unexpectedly. Maybe a relationship that you cherished has gone bad. Often, serious illness causes us to question God's true intentions.

Whether it’s disappointment, brokenness or devastation that has left you doubting the presence and goodness of God, let me tell you there is hope.

• No matter what you’ve been through.
• No matter how distant God feels.
• No matter how confused or enraged you are.
• No matter how much you feel like giving up.
• No matter how badly you feel that life has swept way any reason to have joy.

You can have hope, not in yourself or your circumstances, but in Jesus Christ. He is our anchor. He holds us up against the rising tides and raging seas of life. And he promises to never let us go. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure... (Hebrews 6:19)