Learning How an Anchor Holds
We went on weekend and week-long cruises. Sometimes we sailed into villages and cities, where we could dock the boat.
But often we went to remote and isolated harbours, where no one thought of building a dock. There we had to anchor.
To set an anchor, you tie off the end to the boat and heave it out over the water, away from the boat. You leave a lot of rope to allow the anchor to lie flat on the bottom. Then you back the boat up, pulling on the rope.
How Pressure Sets the Anchor
Underwater, the anchor is dragged along the bottom. The flukes, the pointy things on either side of the main shaft, are designed to bite into the bottom and hold fast.
The harder you back up, the firmer the anchor sets.
It is not the weight of the anchor that holds you. It is the flukes, the arms, that dig into the sand, muck, or clay on the bottom.
God as an Anchor in AA Recovery and Life
God is sometimes described and felt as an anchor. The old hymns sung in Church refer to God as our anchor in the storms of life.
When we feel solid, no matter what is going on around us, we describe ourselves as being “anchored.”
How apt.
When the storms of life come upon us, we are connected to God, our anchor. But our anchor holds, not by weight, but by design.
And the harder the storms blow us around, the firmer our anchor is set, and the deeper it digs into the bottom.
The storms and stresses of life are like the pull of the rope when backing up.
It sets our anchor firm.
Books to Support Your Twelve Step Journey
If you’re looking to explore Step work, spiritual awakening, and personal transformation more deeply, check out The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts. These books offer insights, reflections, and real-life recovery experience that complement the journey through the Twelve Steps.
The books in The GEMS Series: 12-Step Shares, Notes and Thoughts can be purchased through my estore or the major online book retailers. Look for GEMS, More GEMS, Still More GEMS, and More GEMS Revealed.
FAQ
What does it mean to say God is an anchor in recovery?
It means God can provide steadiness, connection, and spiritual grounding when life feels unstable or stormy.
How does the anchor image relate to AA recovery?
The anchor image shows how pressure can deepen stability. In recovery, stress and struggle can strengthen reliance on God and spiritual principles.
Why does an anchor hold more firmly under pressure?
An anchor holds because its flukes dig into the bottom. The harder the boat pulls, the more firmly the anchor can set.
Can life’s storms strengthen sobriety?
Yes. Difficult seasons can deepen faith, humility, willingness, and dependence on a spiritual foundation in the recovery journey.
What does being anchored mean in alcoholism recovery?
Being anchored means staying spiritually grounded and steady, even when circumstances, emotions, or outside pressures feel difficult.
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