The Tide-Turning Power of HopeSample

The anchor has become a popular symbol of hope. This symbol grew out of the writings of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament.

Paul was a remarkably transparent writer. He seemed to see no incongruence between being totally honest about his suffering and simultaneously holding on to a resilient faith.

A famous snippet from Paul’s writings is in Romans 8: “All things work together for good to those who love God . . .” (v. 28 NKJV). It’s crucial to remember what “all things” were. They were problems. Here are some specific pain points Paul mentions in this chapter alone:

• Sufferings of this present time
• Hope that doesn’t see the answer
• Personal weaknesses
• Trouble and calamity
• Death threats
• Persecution that may lead to death

The “all things” were not good; they were bad. Paul’s journey taught him that God can take the bad and orchestrate it into something good.

Every storm, no matter how intense and threatening, always ends. Stand firm. Don’t move. The warm sun will burst through the clouds. Lean into the wind and rain. Keep walking.