I loved this quote: “Grip strength means nothing in a fall. The anchor takes the load.”
A few years ago at work, we were training on bailout techniques with a new system we were using for when the interior firefighting environment got so bad that we had to bail out of the closest window.
The descender we were using was a clamshell style device that would basically free spool if you squeezed it too hard.
When it was my turn, I got clipped into the backup belay line and then prepared to bail out of the window using my anchor, rope, and descender. As I left the window with 60 pounds of added gear on me, I inadvertently squeezed the descender too tight and the rope began to free spool. The belay system failed and as I began to free fall, my natural instinct was to squeeze tighter which only sped up descent. If I would’ve just released my grip the descent would’ve stopped and the anchor would’ve kicked in and held. Thankfully, when I hit the concrete below, I only suffered some bumps and bruises and stiff joints for a few weeks. While I was sidelined, God used that moment to teach me some very valuable lessons.
Your story just helped me realize another lesson too. Not only does grip strength mean nothing in a fall, when we instinctually try to rely on it and not instead let go and trust the anchor, we inadvertently speed up our descent until we crash at the bottom.
Wow, that was wonderful to read Mr Grylls. It brought tears to my eyes as I realised that as much as I love the Lord, I still rely on myself and my own strength most of the time. Thank you, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series ❤️😊
Thank you Bear! Every week I read your reflection to a team of Hospital Chaplains as a morning reflection before they hit the wards, ICU & ED department. Everyone is greatly encouraged. (Western Australia)
My anchor was the God I knew. The God I had read about in scripture. The God that had been there many times before. At a time when I was broken and my reality was very much different from what I knew, I cried out to God and though I had many dark days I held on to His truths and joy came. Sometimes just in a glimpse or for a moment, but it came. I now look back and rejoice in the Lord for holding me.
I stay anched to God. I seem to hold onto Him even tighter in those times, but it sure is scary swinging in the wind until He brings me back down to the ground.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
There were times on my sailboat that the only commentary when we returned to the dock was: "cheated death again" it was our perseverance, strength and prayers that got us through. Our anchor was our boat in water and wind that was trying to kill us. Without our faith in our Lord and his gift of our abilities we would have succumbed to Davey Jones.
Amen! Our anchor to the Lord is needed for everything - small things as well large. Anchor the small everyday stuff regularly and you’ll find that it is automatic when the larger problems come along.
The fear I'm still overcoming is allowing myself to fall and trusting my Anchor will hold. It's that same fear when climbing and fearing losing your grip and those short moments of free fall before the rope catches the anchor. It's terrifying every time. But it always holds. And God never fails. Yet it still scares me at times to take those big leaps and know if I do fall, He's got me. I've learned that I'm likely always going to have some fear, so better to just do it afraid and build more trust with Him each time.
My work - the fact that I was needed even though it burnt me out. Didn’t have the ability to be engaged in more than a small group Bible study for those two years (worked nights on weekends), but that small group brought me life.
I agree, it was my work. Ultimately, I burned myself out for things I didn’t need. I look back in disgust and realize I should have paid more attention to other matters that are far more important.
As I have struggled with some deep seated sin all my life something finally turned in me. I asked for help without directly exposing the darkness of my soul. I was given time to heal. I know Who the Healer is and I went to Him full throttle. I was desperate to get some reassurance that my sin was covered and that He could physically bring me through the pain. The higher I climbed my entire life the looser my anchor became. My Anchor did not fail, but I became less flippant about its use. Christ is my Anchor. There is no other. The promises and mandates He gives through out His Word have held me fast. He has held me fast. I cannot praise Him enough.
When the weather turned last, I realized I wasn’t anchored at all. I realized that I thought the anchor points I had were legit and solid only to find them weak or nonexistent. From that turn of the weather I have turned more toward God and mindfulness to see more solid anchor points that help me navigate the winds of life.
I loved this quote: “Grip strength means nothing in a fall. The anchor takes the load.”
A few years ago at work, we were training on bailout techniques with a new system we were using for when the interior firefighting environment got so bad that we had to bail out of the closest window.
The descender we were using was a clamshell style device that would basically free spool if you squeezed it too hard.
When it was my turn, I got clipped into the backup belay line and then prepared to bail out of the window using my anchor, rope, and descender. As I left the window with 60 pounds of added gear on me, I inadvertently squeezed the descender too tight and the rope began to free spool. The belay system failed and as I began to free fall, my natural instinct was to squeeze tighter which only sped up descent. If I would’ve just released my grip the descent would’ve stopped and the anchor would’ve kicked in and held. Thankfully, when I hit the concrete below, I only suffered some bumps and bruises and stiff joints for a few weeks. While I was sidelined, God used that moment to teach me some very valuable lessons.
Your story just helped me realize another lesson too. Not only does grip strength mean nothing in a fall, when we instinctually try to rely on it and not instead let go and trust the anchor, we inadvertently speed up our descent until we crash at the bottom.
I find it easier to be anchored during trouble, it is in the easy times that we forget to abide and remain!
Amen
Wow, that was wonderful to read Mr Grylls. It brought tears to my eyes as I realised that as much as I love the Lord, I still rely on myself and my own strength most of the time. Thank you, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series ❤️😊
Thank you Bear! Every week I read your reflection to a team of Hospital Chaplains as a morning reflection before they hit the wards, ICU & ED department. Everyone is greatly encouraged. (Western Australia)
Hebrews 6:19.
“We have this hope as an anchor (ἄγκυρα – ankyra) for the soul, firm and secure.” And the Hebrew word for hope is tiqvah, the same word for rope!
My anchor was the God I knew. The God I had read about in scripture. The God that had been there many times before. At a time when I was broken and my reality was very much different from what I knew, I cried out to God and though I had many dark days I held on to His truths and joy came. Sometimes just in a glimpse or for a moment, but it came. I now look back and rejoice in the Lord for holding me.
He is our rock that can’t be shaken. A fortress in times of trouble.
I stay anched to God. I seem to hold onto Him even tighter in those times, but it sure is scary swinging in the wind until He brings me back down to the ground.
My favourite is very similar, from proverbs ....
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Easy said, has been a challenge to follow.
There were times on my sailboat that the only commentary when we returned to the dock was: "cheated death again" it was our perseverance, strength and prayers that got us through. Our anchor was our boat in water and wind that was trying to kill us. Without our faith in our Lord and his gift of our abilities we would have succumbed to Davey Jones.
Amen! Our anchor to the Lord is needed for everything - small things as well large. Anchor the small everyday stuff regularly and you’ll find that it is automatic when the larger problems come along.
This is such a much needed reminder. Thank you for sharing.
The fear I'm still overcoming is allowing myself to fall and trusting my Anchor will hold. It's that same fear when climbing and fearing losing your grip and those short moments of free fall before the rope catches the anchor. It's terrifying every time. But it always holds. And God never fails. Yet it still scares me at times to take those big leaps and know if I do fall, He's got me. I've learned that I'm likely always going to have some fear, so better to just do it afraid and build more trust with Him each time.
My work - the fact that I was needed even though it burnt me out. Didn’t have the ability to be engaged in more than a small group Bible study for those two years (worked nights on weekends), but that small group brought me life.
I agree, it was my work. Ultimately, I burned myself out for things I didn’t need. I look back in disgust and realize I should have paid more attention to other matters that are far more important.
As I have struggled with some deep seated sin all my life something finally turned in me. I asked for help without directly exposing the darkness of my soul. I was given time to heal. I know Who the Healer is and I went to Him full throttle. I was desperate to get some reassurance that my sin was covered and that He could physically bring me through the pain. The higher I climbed my entire life the looser my anchor became. My Anchor did not fail, but I became less flippant about its use. Christ is my Anchor. There is no other. The promises and mandates He gives through out His Word have held me fast. He has held me fast. I cannot praise Him enough.
When the weather turned last, I realized I wasn’t anchored at all. I realized that I thought the anchor points I had were legit and solid only to find them weak or nonexistent. From that turn of the weather I have turned more toward God and mindfulness to see more solid anchor points that help me navigate the winds of life.