Jimbo's Jots

I’m leading the “Anchors for the Soul” class based on Dr. John Mark Hicks’ book of the same name. We’re almost finished but I’ll probably fire up another class within the next couple of months.

In short, Dr. Hicks blends personal story and reflection with scripture. Having experienced personal trials such as death of a spouse and a child, broken marriage and diverted plans of ministry, Dr. Hicks talks about how he has worked through and continues to work through on the anchors, or promises, of God on which we can rely.

According to Hicks, the anchors for the soul are: God Loves, God Listens, God Understands, God Reigns, and God Wins.

The chapter this week in our discussion was the anchor, God Reigns. Probably the hardest to grasp. The prime example of this chapter is Job. Remember God “allowed” the “accuser” (Hicks’ word and I like it) to attach the integrity of Job by first taking away wealth and family and second by attacking Job himself.

The hardest think to grasp here is that God allowed it to happen. I like what Dr. Hicks says here, “When chaos swirls around us, we naturally wonder whether God really is in control or sovereign, and if God is sovereign, we doubt God’s care for us (Anchors for the Soul (Kindle Locations 1233-1234).

He continues, “This is the role of trust. . . Trust can look messy at times. It is not always pretty. But it sustains us through the most difficult times as we confess that God loves us, listens to us, and understands us. And now, we also confess that God knows what God is doing, and we have decided to trust God with God’s world and our lives (Anchors for the Soul (Kindle Locations 1236-1238).

We may not always understand even in our search for the “Why?”. But God is still God! And in the midst of my trials, if I take stock in believing and trusting in that very fact alone, I don’t have to know the “Why?”. I will trust in His sustaining love and compassion to get me through it.

Be blessed and be a blessing!