College Students, Anchor Yourself in Christ

Most everyone is familiar with the concept of an anchor in the nautical sense. The anchor keeps the vessel from drifting away due to current or wind. It fixes the vessel to a certain position. It is a means of support, security, and stability. While this is easily understood, fewer people are aware of the concept of an anchor in our Christian walk.

Hope in Christ is Our Anchor in Life

Hebrews 6:19 illustrates this in a spiritual sense. The passage states, 

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”

This verse illustrates hope’s ability to keep us safe and secure in life’s rough waters. Like an anchor holding a ship securely, our hope in God guarantees our safety, in the spiritual sense (though not always in the physical sense). Whatever the conditions at sea, the anchor remains fixed on the bottom of the seabed, keeping the boat from drifting or capsizing with the pressure of the wind and waves. The rougher the weather, the more important the security of the anchor is for the safety of the boat. The anchor is a fabulous and amazing symbol of Christian hope.

When an anchor becomes less fit because of corrosion, cracks, or breaks in the line, it can no longer do its job. The ship’s support, security, and stability are at a real risk. Similarly, when our hope in God wains or erodes, life more quickly and easily beats us up. 

We all struggle at times to find God’s goodness in the midst of worries, heartache, and pain. But when our spiritual anchor is strong—when our hope in God is strong—we are like the apostle Paul, having the ability of being content in all circumstances (cf. Philippians 4:11-13). 

Four Ways to Stay Anchored in Christ in College

College can feel like one series of ripples, waves, and wind gusts after another. On the best of days, you are confronted with the ever-shifting winds of culture that press in on you, seeking to push you off course. On the worst of days, it can feel like a torrential midnight storm, tossing you and turning you so that you barely know what direction is up. Like when you don’t get into the program you’ve worked so hard for…or you face dysfunction and heartache at home…or you suffer abuse…or anxiety and depression strike again…or you break up with the one you thought was “the one.”

How do you keep your spiritual anchor strong and deep so that the hope of Christ can stabilize you no matter what the weather? College student, I suggest you do these three things to anchor yourself in Christ.

Keep Your Focus on Christ

No matter what, keep your focus on God. Don’t let your primary focus shift to your circumstances. As you maintain a focus on God your hope, your anchor in Him will remain strong. When you begin to shift focus to the negative aspects or less-than-perfect circumstances in your life, it will be nearly impossible to keep your hope strong. Every proverbial shift of your eyes from Christ to your circumstances will weaken your anchor. To combat this, you must fight to keep your focus off your problems and on God.

Keep Yourself in the Word

Immersing yourself in Scripture is one way to reorient your focus to God. Soak in His Word. Like the spice and sauce infusing flavor in the meat the longer it marinates, the Word of God will strengthen your hope in Him the more you saturate yourself in it. It is easy for us to forget the promises of God.  

In the moment when you are filled with doubt, when fear and uncertainty plague your thoughts and actions, when the circumstances seem to swell like a tidal wave about to take you out, God can use His Word to anchor your hope in Him.

If you don’t know where to start, Scriptures like Romans 8:28 and Psalm 46:1 have helped me as I seek to keep myself anchored in God. Believing and living these words requires trusting God. Sometimes that is an easy thing to do; most times it is very hard. But we must always seek to trust in Him, and we seek that by hiding those words in our hearts so that they are with us always..

Keep Yourself in Prayer

If you want to stay anchored in Christ, build and maintain consistent times of prayer. Prayer is a powerful way to keep your spiritual anchor strong. A.W. Tozer once said, “Constantly practice the habit of gazing inwardly upon God.” 

I love the reminders we find in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and James 5:13. Steadfast, diligent, and consistent prayer allows us to communicate with God. As we lay the desires of our hearts before Him, we ground our hope in Him, thereby strengthening our spiritual anchor. 

Steadfast, diligent, and consistent prayer….

…. builds our spiritual strength and courage [Joshua 1:9].

…. strengthens us when we are weak [Psalm 5:3].

…. provides direction [Matthew 7:11].

…. reduces worry and anxiety [Philippians 4:6].

God can and will answer our prayers, but we must learn to diligently and consistently seek Him, with humble hearts full of worship and thanksgiving.

Keep Yourself Supported

College student, you can’t stay anchored in Christ alone. You need people in your life who intentionally support you and hold you accountable. Life is messy, and it can often feel like a battlefield (because it is!). Scripture reminds us that the devil is always seeking ways to steal from us, kill us, and/or destroy us [John 10:10]. That is why we not only need God but each other. We can’t do life alone. Throughout the life of Jesus, we see Him doing life with others, in a community. He did not do it alone, and neither should we. 

After Jesus died, many of the disciples fled. They were scared and confused. They didn’t understand that His death was part of God’s redemptive plan. But after hearing reports of His resurrection and seeing Him face to face, their hope was renewed. When they were fearful, they chose to gather together in community. We learn in Acts 1:14 that the disciples, “all joined together constantly in prayer.” 

Don’t underestimate the power of Christian community or a local church. Being a part of a strong, vibrant church will not only build you up but provide support in times of pain and sorrow. Life is much more doable when you are part of a community that loves you, encourages you, reminds you of the goodness of God, and holds up your hope in Christ when it feels weak. Together you can put your focus on Christ…dig into God’s Word…and call upon Him in prayer.  

You are Not Alone

You might feel like a ship tossing and turning alone in a dark sea, but you are not alone in this storm. You do not battle alone to anchor yourself in Christ. He is with You, through His Word, through prayer, and through His people. Pursue those things, and no matter what waves your college years bring, you will stay anchored in Christ.