Anchored in Grace: The True Strength to Follow Christ
Where do we find the strength to follow Christ when everything around us is shifting? The kind of grit we need doesn’t come from within. We can’t muster it up with sheer willpower. It’s not something we can manufacture at all. Instead, it’s a strength that flows from something—or rather Someone—deeper, firmer, and more secure: the Lord and His grace.
When Culture Tries to Define Our Strength
For years, even as a follower of Christ, I believed that being strong meant standing my ground, taking initiative, and never showing weakness. Many of the cultural ideas I had absorbed in my youth continued to shape my perspective. I thought being a strong Christian woman meant always having an answer, staying composed, keeping everything under control. But in truth, what I often called “strength” was really pride and self-reliance.
That is until God showed me that real strength isn’t measured by what I can control but by what I’m willing to surrender. Like author Mary Kassian, “I realized that bending my will to do what God wanted me to do required a strength I did not possess.”1
That’s when I understood: I need an anchor.
Lessons from Multiple Moves
In the past few years, I’ve had to move several times, and let me tell you—moving is never fun. It’s stressful, exhausting, and inconvenient. But in each move, God has taught me something new . . . especially about foundations.
In one house, I began to notice ants showing up repeatedly, even though everything was spotless. My neighbor explained that it was the rainy season and the ants were gathering food in preparation. Immediately, Proverbs 6 came to mind:
Go to the ant, you slacker!
Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest. (Proverbs 6:6–8)
It made me ask: am I preparing like the ant in a spiritual sense? Am I seeking my nourishment from God’s Word the way those tiny creatures seek their food?
But there was a deeper lesson too. My husband, a civil engineer, noticed part of the patio was sinking. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a foundation issue. The problem wasn’t visible on the surface—but left unaddressed, it could compromise the entire structure.
That moment taught me a vital truth: a building can look strong on the outside but be dangerously unstable underneath. The same is true for our spiritual lives. We might appear solid, but if our foundation isn’t firm, we are in danger of collapsing. That’s why we need to be anchored.
Hope As an Anchor
Scripture reminds us that we’re not simply called to survive—we’re called to stand firm. Hebrews 6:19 offers a beautiful picture:
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Christ is our hope. And this hope doesn’t shift, sink, or fade. But for it to truly function as an anchor, it must also be fastened to the right place. Saying we believe in Jesus isn’t enough; we must be rooted in Him, anchored in His Word, and living as those who trust in His power—not our own.
Strengthened by Grace . . . In Practice
Shortly before I got married, my mom gave me one of the wisest pieces of advice I’ve ever received: “Bring everything to Christ in prayer.”
That counsel has sustained me through the years. And as a result I’ve learned that prayer isn’t just a feeling—it’s a discipline. Like all disciplines, it takes effort, commitment, and intentionality. And it’s not the only one. The Bible speaks of many spiritual disciplines—habits of grace—that God provides to help us grow and strengthen our faith.
These disciplines—such as prayer, Bible intake, fasting, worship, stewardship, service, silence, solitude, and evangelism—are tools God has given us to shape a steadfast heart, a heart anchored in Him.
And here’s the key: they are a blessing, not a burden. They aren’t a checklist to earn favor or a formula to change God’s will. They’re means of grace. When I come before Him in prayer—bringing my longings, dreams, burdens, and plans—I’m acknowledging His sovereignty, His wisdom, His love. That moment reorients my focus. It strengthens my soul.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Strength That Does Not Sink
In a world of unstable ideologies, shifting definitions, and relative truth, our faith cannot be built on emotions or trends. It must be grounded on the Rock that does not move. Our strength is not found in what we can do but in the One who has already done everything for us.
The world shouts, “Empower yourself!” but God says, “Trust Me.” The kind of grit we need to follow Jesus doesn’t come from willpower—it flows out of grace. It’s not about pushing harder; it’s about planting deeper. It’s not about controlling an outcome, it’s about surrendering to the One who already reigns.
The strength we need to follow Christ is not human—it is divine.
It is grace, not willpower.
It is surrender, not self-sufficiency.
It is built on the Word, not on opinion.
So, what does it look like to ground your life in grace?
- Examine your foundation.
- Fill your mind with the Word.
- Walk with godly women who will point you to Christ.
- Be diligent like the ant.
- Be strong in the grace of God (2 Tim. 2:1).
Because the only way to stand, persevere, and press on in a shaking world is to be anchored in the grace of God.
When life feels heavy and the road ahead uncertain, God offers the strength you need to keep going. Endure: A 40-Day Fortitude Challenge will help you walk daily with Jesus, drawing grace for each step. Through Scripture and encouragement, you’ll learn to stand firm in Him. We’d love to send you a copy as our thanks for your gift of any amount to Revive Our Hearts this month.
1 Mary A. Kassian, The Right Kind of Strong: Surprisingly Simple Habits of a Spiritually Strong Woman (Nashville: Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, 2019), 3.
