Beloved, allow me to ask you a quick question: What do you do when you are stuck at the crossroads, and you’ve done all you can? Just in case you don’t know I’ll tell you.
“STAND!!!” You. Just. Stand.
While this advice may seem counterintuitive and illogical to those of you who may be broken and distorted due to emotional, spiritual, relational, or even physical trials, I believe it’s God’s answer for you on this Thoughtful Thursday.
Now there may be someone reading this blog and asking:
Bishop Houston, how do you know?
Well, personally, I’ve lived the painstaking experience. Yes, I have been on this journey for a couple of decades and learning to stand has been a major incorporated process. My education on standing has come during the times I was in the place of brokenness, “fractured mentally and spiritually, financially”, hurt, distressed, suffering, uncertainty, and self-doubt. This is where God met me and educated me how to stand again.
“STAND”
This is just one simple word. It’s a relatively easy action. Vital thinking isn’t essential.
But it’s not a position we accommodate much, is it?
Habitually, we rely on the automatic “compete or leave” response when we face an obstacle or adversary. Sometimes we pull ourselves together, gather our resources, and prepare to battle. Other times, we run for cover hoping to protect ourselves from the flying shrapnel, waiting until the storm passes.
But, we don’t have to compete or leave. God offers us an alternative: “STAND.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) tells us to put on the whole armor of God.
*10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. *11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. *12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. *13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
Now, the idiom that keeps echoing in my spirit is the motivation for this post: “…to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].”
Here is how some other versions of the Bible translate this small phrase:
“and having done all, stand firm” (ESV)
“then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (NLT)
“and after you have done everything, to stand.” (NIV)
“so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet” (MSG)
“WHEN DO YOU STAND”
Before, after, and during the battle.”
Beloved, there “is never” a time God tells us to stop standing.
Now, did you catch that? He doesn’t give us an outlet. He doesn’t say there’s a time to run and a time to hide. He doesn’t say that after we have given it our best shot we can leave or sit down.
(Trust me Beloved, I’ve been looking for the loopholes!!!)
Nevertheless, we can’t afford to miss what God says He’ll do for us as we stand.
“GOD WILL USE HIS STRENGTH AND POWER TO Bring SALVATION.”
Exodus 14:13 (AMP) says: “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today;”
“GOD WILL DEFEND US WITH HIS ARMOR”
Ephesians 6:11 (AMP) says: 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
“GOD WILL STAY BY OUR SIDE AND NEVER ABANDON US”
Joshua 1:5 (AMP) says: “No man will [be able to] stand before you [to oppose you] as long as you live. Just as I was [present] with Moses, so will I be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you.”
Beloved, the battles we have in this life are real, powerful, and unavoidable. God knows this and wants us to prepare us for the ambush of schemes and devices the enemy will throw at us to knock us off our feet. Whether your battle is internal or external, temporary or permanent, life-altering or mildly annoying, God’s command does not change. God’s Word tells us we’re not to be passive participants but to proactively prepare for battle by arming ourselves.
The hard days are sure to come. There’ll be battles. And when they do, we must choose to stand our ground.
While our hard-wired response when we face danger may be the “fight or flight” response, we can choose God’s option instead: JUST STAND.
Don’t attack or react aggressively. Don’t run away and hide in fear.
Believe me, I’ve done both in the past, and neither has worked well for me!!!)
*STAND IN TRUTH.
**STAND IN GOD’S PROTECTIVE ARMOR.
***STAND IN FREEDOM, KNOWING THE BATTLE IS ULTIMATELY THE LORD’S.
****STAND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHO GOD IS AND WHO YOU ARE IN HIM.
Now there may be someone reading this blog and asking:
“Bishop Houston, how do I stand?”
Well, I’m Glad You Asked!!!
Because, this is a very good question!!! For a long time, I wrestled with this same question.
When I reverted back to the immoral and got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I needed to find out how to stand again.
Allow me to use an acrostic right here as a way to share what God has taught me.
S – STOP BEING INACTIVE (IN OTHER WORDS – FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF) START BY GETTING BACK ON YOUR FEET.
T – TAKE YOUR TIME. BELOVED, WHEN YOU STAND, YOU’RE NOT MOVING, AND THAT’S OKAY. BE FIRM, BUT STILL!!!
A – ACCEPT GOD’S HELP. ALLOW HIM TO ARM YOU WITH HIS TRUTH, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HIS FAITH, HIS WORD, AND HIS SPIRIT.
N – NOTICE YOUR SURROUNDINGS. WHO/WHAT IS AROUND YOU? WILL THEY PROPEL YOU FORWARD OR HOLD YOU BACK?
D – DEFEND YOUR GROUND. BOUNDARIES ARE A GOOD THING. HEALTHY AND STRONG PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO KEEP THE BAD OUT AND LET IN THE GOOD.
Now, I have just a few more things I have to tell you about standing. I feel I would be negligent if I didn’t let you in on these truths.
1. Standing is very hard especially when you feel like moving.
2. Standing stretches you in ways you won’t imagine.
3. Standing can get very rough and painful.
4. Standing may be misunderstood by others in your life.
But in the end, if God calls you to stand, it is exactly what you need to do!!!
Beloved, “JUST STAND.”
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite songs: “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin.
Beloved, I pray what I’ve blogged today and Donnie McClurkin’s song “Stand” encourages those of you who have done all you can.
Beloved, trust God and give yourself permission to just stand.
“To God Be The Glory”
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