A Song for My Soul: Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

Music has the ability to speak into the deepest recesses of our hearts. God often uses songs to speak hope and encouragement to our souls. In this series, Hope Moms share songs that have pointed them to the hope of Christ in the midst of their grief. Is there a song that has comforted you in your grief? We’d love to have you share your story here.

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Music has always been able to speak deeply to my soul. And while I cannot carry a tune, I sure do try. For each of our living children, I have rocked them, sang them a hymn, and prayed that the lyrics would ring true in each of their lives. Our children refer to these hymns as “their songs,” and as I carried our precious Lydia in my womb, I wondered what her song might be. 

For each of our other children, the songs came to me as I held them during late night feedings. Oh, how I long that this was how Lydia’s song came to us also, but that was not God’s will. We lost our sweet Lydia when I was 19 weeks and 5 days along. In the days after her birth, as we prepared for her funeral service, my husband and I discussed what we wanted her song to be. Many came to mind, but one truly resonated in my soul, and I prayed that God would put it on my husband’s heart also, so that we would agree. 

Our song for Lydia is “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor” by Matt Boswell. It was truly the first verse in this song that struck a chord deep inside me, but the others have since come to speak to me through different stages and moments of grief. 

“Christ the sure and steady anchor in the fury of the storm.
When the winds of doubt blow through me and my sails have all been torn.
In the suffering in the sorrow, when my sinking hopes are few,
I will hold fast to the anchor, it shall never be removed.“

In the days following Lydia’s birth to glory, I truly felt as if my sails were torn. I had nowhere to turn but to Christ. Without Him, I would have been forever lost in a sea of sorrow. 

“Christ the sure and steady anchor, while the tempest rages on.
When temptation claims the battle and it seems the night has won.
Deeper still then goes the anchor, though I justly stand accused.
I will hold fast to the anchor it will never be removed.”

The second verse has been one for me to cling to in the deep of the night when I cannot sleep. When I am tempted to think this should not have happened to me or when I wonder how could God have let this happen. It has comforted my soul to reflect on the truth that Christ is my anchor and He is long enough, strong enough, and able to hold me no matter what. 

“Christ the sure and steady anchor, through the floods of unbelief.
Hopeless somehow, oh my soul now, lift your eyes to Calvary.
This my ballast of assurance, see His love forever proved.
I will hold fast to the anchor, it will never be removed. “

This verse is the one that my soul truly needs. A reminder that in my sorrow, in my doubts, I must lift my eyes to the cross. How beautiful it is that our Savior has shown us the greatest love of all! In my sorrow, His love is not removed from me! Rather, in my sorrow, He provides me the greatest joy and comfort. Because of Him, I will one day stand before His throne in worship of the One who makes all things new, and I will be able to do this alongside my daughter! Oh how my soul longs for that day to behold our Creator with great joy and praise!

“Christ the sure and steady anchor, as we face the wave of death.
When these trials give way to glory, as we draw our final breath.
We will cross that great horizon, clouds behind and life secure.
And the calm will be the better for the storms that we endure.
Christ the sure of our salvation. Ever faithful. Ever true.
We will hold fast to the anchor, it will never be removed.”

This last verse has been able to consistently point me to the Scriptures in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 which says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

What glory and hope we have in our Savior, Jesus! While my sorrow has been great because my arms are empty, I have never felt more closely enveloped by the arms of my Savior. I know that He holds me in His arms and weeps alongside me. And I look forward to the day that He will make all things new and right. He will wipe away my tears because, through Jesus, He has invited me in to experience unending joy in His presence. 

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My husband Josh and I live in South Carolina. We have three sons on earth and one daughter in heaven. I love spending time with my family, warm weather, coke zero, and cooking.

We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.

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