Do you ever feel like a small ship adrift on a stormy sea?  How do you stay afloat when the waves relentlessly come crashing down over and over again?

On a ship “hold fast” implies that rigging is tied securely.  During inclement weather, sailors would actually wrap themselves in the lines to help maintain their grasp.   Seamen often tattooed this phrase on their knuckles as a reminder.  With this information in mind, I had to smile when I read Hebrews 4:14 in The Message:

Now that we know what we have—
Jesus, this great High Priest
with ready access to God—
let’s not let it slip through our fingers.

This sailor is securing herself to Her Savior.

May He tattoo these two words on my heart:  Hold fast.

I know He specializes in stormy seas, and He won’t let me slip through His mighty fingers.

How do you hold fast during hard times? Let’s dig deep and discover the secret for the next 31 days….

Day 1:  When life knocks you in the gut, remember that God writes happy endings, not cliffhangers. 

Day 2: When stinking thinking comes calling, stay on message.

Day 3: When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on to the Word of life. 

Day 4: When the road seems long, remember you are held in His mighty arms.

Day 5: Sometimes it is very hard to keep believing what you can’t see, but Jesus is alive, so hold tight and keep singing. 

Day 6:  The darker the night, the brighter the stars shine.  Be a bright light because others are watching in the darkness.

Day 7: Strike a match on all that is holding you back from moving forward in faith and present your life as an offering to your King.

Day 8:  Hang on to hope. Your response to pain can transform a setback into a step forward.

Day 9:  Slow down and remember we are never without a Pilot when we know not how to steer. 

Day 10:  A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.

Day 11: Stay in love lockdown mode.  Love deeply from the center of who you are.

Day 12:  Remember Help is on the way.

Day 13:  Take a stand on the Firm Foundation.

Day 14:  Never let go of your Lifeline.

Day 15:   Consistency counts, so purpose to stay on your regular regimen.

Day 16:  Bear in mind that blemishes in life are brief.

Day 17:  Many of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when their seemed no hope at all. 

Day 18: Lay hold of the tree of Life, wisdom. 

Day 19: Though the mountains will crumble, your Almighty God will not.  He will break your darkness.  He’s the repairer of broken things. 

Day 20:  Remember your Lifeguard is always on duty.  Jump in. 

Day 21:  Prepare for rain while the sun is still shining.

Day 22:   Plan, prepare, and pray as you go. 

Day 23:  Be Brave.  The God of Angel Armies is by your side.  His grip of love will never let you go. 

Day 24:  Keep plugging along with your eye on the prize.

Day 25:  Watch your step.

Day 26:   Remember God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.  He holds you up. 

Dat 27:  Stay close to Jesus your best friend.  His promises hold truer than all pinky promises.

Day 28:  Stick together.  No one is brave alone.

Day 29:  Swim against the tide of indifference and apathy.  Focus on finishing.

Day 30:  Rather than succumb to your circumstances, surrender to your Savior.

Day 31:  Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything.