When we are living in pain it can be challenging to keep believing God still loves us, that he is still in control and that he cares about the hurt in our lives.  Standing firm in our faith can become excruciatingly difficult.

I am not here to tell you that you should deny the heartache you are feeling.  However, we need to be careful not to get stuck in any one stage of the healing process.  It’s a marathon and each person needs to heal at their own pace, yet each day should see us either moving forward or holding steady – standing firm – where we are in our journey. 

Walking with God requires, yet also develops, endurance and stamina. When we are reduced to focusing on just breathing and getting through the next moment, let me encourage you to cry out to Jesus and cling to him.  In what we say as well as what we do, we need to move towards spiritual maturity, striving to let Him be our anchor in life especially when the days are difficult.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  1 Peter 5:8-10

What does “Standing Firm” look like?

As we just read in 1 Peter, we must resist the enemy.  In order to do that, we need to know who God really is.  Only through faith can we stay strong in the hard times.  Even though it can be challenging, we should never allow ourselves to linger in doubt.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you… May our Lord Jesus Christ… encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17

We should pray for strength and be aware of who we are spending time with and what they might be influencing us toward. 

Long ago I had a neighbor who was in the military.  He had a wife and 2 children at home.  As one does when they are on active duty, he was deployed for several months and when he returned home his wife met him with the shocking news that she wanted a divorce.  He was astounded and confused as things had been fine when he left.  Eventually he learned that his wife had been spending a lot of time with a divorced woman who was encouraging her to leave him.  Thankfully he chose to fight for his marriage and his wife decided to stay. 

Who are we listening to today?  Is there someone who has a lot of authority to speak into our lives?  Is that a good thing?

Just as someone who is pulling themselves out of an addiction wouldn’t want to place themselves with others who are encouraging them to remain in their addiction, so when we are struggling, we need to surround ourselves with really good, healthy and supportive people. 

Standing firm is also an invitation to rest in Him, and to shine our light by living out our trust in Him, especially in the face of trials, doubts, or opposition.  Someone is likely watching how we respond to the difficulties we are facing today.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,
    you will not stand at all.

Isa 7:9

Next Steps

Choose a verse to claim as your own

Read about one aspect of Gods character

Consider surrounding yourself with healthy, supportive people

Ask God for help staying faithful in the hard times