Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Cor. 16:13–14)

I REMEMBER ONE CHRISTMAS morning when I bounded down the stairs before anyone was up. I knew better than to trust my stocking feet on the carpet; I also knew better than to trust my steadiness that early in the morning without holding on to the rail. But down I went. And I hurt much more than my pride! The rail could have anchored me had I not been so complacent. I let my guard down.

It’s easy to slip over a rocky ledge. Even if you’re careful and have no fear of falling, one misstep can mean disaster. A false sense of security can make the difference between life and death in an unpredictable world. The wise thing to do would be to anchor yourself to something strong enough to hold you if you took your eyes off the path and faltered.

How can we have the strength to be ready for anything if we aren’t faithful to anchor our hearts and minds with the love of God? We can’t afford a careless step. I have found that it is best to examine my surroundings each day and be aware of my need to anchor my strength in God. No more bumpy rides down the stairs of life for me!

Thank God; He strengthens my grip.

Review your day to see where you need to place anchors.

Jan Cline is the mother of three and grandmother of seven. She loves golfing, camping, singing, and speaking to Christian women’s groups.