The Anchored Life: A Survival Strategy for 2026

Last year, our theme was "Reposition for Growth." We saw mindsets shift and capacities build as many lived as faithful stewards. But as we enter 2026, God is calling us to a deeper spiritual infrastructure. This year, we aren't just looking for growth; we are looking for stability. We are called to live The Anchored Life. 

What is the Anchored Life?

The Anchored Life is a Christ-centered way of living that is held steady by our hope in Christ Jesus, grounded in the absolute truth of His Word, and sustained by a faith that perseveres through every season. In ancient seamanship, an anchor was never a tool of convenience—it was a tool for survival. You drop an anchor because you recognize that without it, you are at the mercy of the tide and the storm.

To understand how to remain steady, we must look at the "rope" that connects us to our Anchor. A single-strand rope is prone to snap under the weight of a storm. However, we rely on a biblical principle:

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:12

Our stability rests on a threefold cord consisting of three interwoven strands: Hope, Truth, and Faith. 

Strand 1: The Upward Strand—Hope as Our Refuge

The first cord is our hope in Christ, which functions as a spiritual City of Refuge.

"That by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." — Hebrews 6:18 

In the Old Testament, a person fleeing an "Avenger" would run to a City of Refuge for legal protection. The roads were kept clear and well-marked because reaching the city was a matter of life and death. Once inside, the refugee was safe.

The Legal Guarantee: In Israel, a refugee’s permanent freedom was granted upon the death of the High Priest. Jesus is our Great High Priest who died for our sins. Because He has died, our forgiveness is not a fleeting "feeling"—it is a permanent legal standing. When the "Accuser" brings up your past, remember that you are legally safe within the gates of Christ.

Strand 2: The Internal Strand—Rooted in Unchangeable Truth

The second cord is being rooted in truth. An anchor’s strength depends entirely on the character of the ground it grips. Our lives must be gripped into the "Immutable Counsel of God." 

"Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath." — Hebrews 6:17 

The Two Unchangeable Things: We draw "strong consolation" from two foundations that cannot lie: God’s Promise (His Word) and God’s Oath (His legal guarantee).

In 2026, where cultural ideologies shift constantly, we cannot rely on "cultural consensus." We must avoid being "biblically illiterate" or chasing subjective signs that "make merchandise" of people. Instead, we must cease to have an opinion where God has already spoken in His Word.

Strand 3: The Outward Strand—Persevering in Faith

The third cord is a faith that refuses to let go. The greatest danger to a believer is rarely open rebellion; it is the "drift." 

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." — Hebrews 2:1 

Drifting happens when we fall "asleep at the wheel" through neglect. To prevent this, we need Endurance—which isn't just passive waiting, but victorious persistence.

"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." — Hebrews 10:36 

Faith is the "muscle of the soul" and the "shock absorber" of life. It doesn’t make the storm disappear, but it keeps the ship stay put while the storm rages. We inherit the promises not through "microwave" speed, but through faith and patience.

The Forerunner: Anchored Beyond the Veil

Where exactly is our anchor dropped? The Scripture says it enters the presence behind the veil.

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus..." — Hebrews 6:19-20 

In ancient seamanship, a Forerunner was a small boat that carried the ship’s anchor into the harbor when the waters were too shallow for the large vessel to enter. Jesus is our Forerunner. He entered the heavenly "Holies of Holies"—the literal presence of God—and dropped our anchor directly into the throne room of the Father.

Because the veil was torn at the cross, we have direct access to God’s glory. We are no longer at the mercy of the tide because our line is held by the One who overcame the world.

The 2026 Declaration

To live the anchored life, we must "lay hold"—seize the hope with strength and refuse to let go. Recite this declaration to set your mindset for the year:

"I declare that my life is anchored in Christ. I flee to Him as my refuge and I lay hold of the hope set before me. I ground my mind in the unchangeable truth of His Word, and I commit to a faith that perseveres through every season. The One who holds my line is faithful; it is impossible for Him to lie. I will not drift, I will not waver, and I will not give up. In Jesus’ name, Amen!"