When I first wrote an Anchor devotional series a few years ago, I was living in the wake of a long, hard deployment. After that writing experience, I lost six soldiers in one year—three to cancer, one to a car accident, one by murder, and one from suicide. This past year, one of my soldiers was murdered while protecting his wife from a gunman. I’ve seen some sad, sobering times.

Alongside all of this, I’ve struggled as a husband, father, and minister of the gospel. If my family or ministry required me to be a selfless, faultless man, I would have no hope. Truly, who of us could stand if perfection were required? If it was up to my own righteousness, my wife would leave me, my kids would be destined to rebellion, and my ministry would be a hypocritical joke.

Thanks be to God—my bride is His bride, my children are His children, and my ministry continues only by His grace and in His strength alone. Ponder these things. As you bump up against the tension of our culture, know that Jesus Christ is with you and for you