‘STANDING FIRM’ WHAT IT IS NOT.

I think it is rather common that when someone is going through a particularly rough patch or simply having a bad day they will be told, ‘You need to stand firm’. In my mind, that statement usually conjures up this mental image of a soldier, straight back and chin to the sky standing his ground waiting for orders. I think that is funny because the phrase ‘stand firm’ is (In my humble opinion) meant to be an encouragement in most situations, not an order.

If you were wondering, my dearest reader, our theme for the month was intentionally chosen given the season we all find ourselves in; year’s end. Oh, it can be rough. I do not know exactly what it is about the end of year activities and festivities that make one subject themselves to an introspective dissection of past hurts and failures while completely ignoring the little and great successes you have had. With Arisesister today, we are celebrating all the little things that made you smile this year, the few and many times you made someone else smile, your successes and the strong person you currently are due to all you have gone through. Today we are telling you ‘stand firm’.

To expanding on my point up there, I am sure you have heard the words ’stand firm’ in relation to many things.  Your faith, your relationship struggles perhaps as a single person or as a married person, your work or the search for and so on. However, I fear people use this phrase more as a command than the words of encouragement and hope that they are meant to be. So sometimes, those two words just make you feel more tired and frustrated.

Are you still with me? Awesome

Now, I am sure we all know what it means to stand firm in the literal sense of the phrase.  But let’s try something else. Let’s look at it from another angle; a more mental and spiritual angle by starting with 3 things that this phrase is NOT. The first point on the list is…yup you guessed it.

• It is not only a command

Okay…maybe you didn’t guess it but that’s okay. hihi

‘…But God keeps his promise and will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it and so provide you with a way out.’ (1Cor 10: 13)

I love this verse. It has encouraged me a great many times. In this bible verse like in many others, we realise that standing firm is a continuous process which can often be tested or required for the completion of a test. It is a way of existing rather than a thing we have to do at a certain moment. The tests of life may change at every season and one must change to adapt and prevail. Standing firm involves evolution and growth. It is not simply an order to be executed. So the next time someone tells you ‘just be strong’ you need to look at it as; resisting your current difficulty and not doing the same things over and over.  It is most importantly, how better you can be at that time.

• Does not directly imply a reinforcement of physical strength.

Standing firm in this context does not mean standing on the same spot or applying some sort of physical strength. It refers to a more mental, emotional and spiritual sort of reaction rather than a physical one. Let’s take a fairly common example of a marketing agent building her network and here, I am referring to myself actually.

I was shunned and faced with cancelled appointments and even when I did get those appointments they did not yield much. My mentor always said ‘you need to be consistent and stand firm’ and when he said that I would feel revived and get right back in there. Doing the same things, walking longer distances, talking longer using all this energy yet I had the same results.

Frustration set in.

But it was only when it dawned on me that I had to change while ‘standing firm’, that change started happening for me. It took a long, long time to cultivate the attitude of adapting and standing firm and honestly, I still am but I started to see some positive results.

• Does not translate to passive or just repetitive action.

Now I find that this point applies greatly to Christians. When we are told we must stand firm, it is easy for us to interpret that as; keep going to church every Sunday, continue being regular at your church groups, sacrifice for your church contribution, fast and so on; all things that you already do. These are good, necessary even but the heart and mind must be in it so that to stand firm will mean changing yourself as you go through each of those activities. It will mean bringing in new ideas and actively participating, it will mean spending time with God to grow your faith and all of these will not be done by repetitive action ONLY. Your heart and mind must be in it such that positive change is brought into your life.

So dear reader during this end of year season, while we contemplate the mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ our saviour, make an endless list of new year resolutions and given all I have mentioned above, I would like you to remember to stand firm. Stand firm in;

• God and his promises

He will never let you down. Nothing you do in the lord’s service is ever useless (1 Cor 15: 58)

• Yourself

Trust in who you are, flawed and loved by God. Trust yourself to make mistakes, to change and to grow. Love yourself in all your shortcomings and know that you are not alone. Build your self-esteem and set your principles and if you were wondering how to do that we have great steps and tips in our self-esteem articles.

• Your faith and belief

Allow yourself to surrender to God and to know him. Let him be the source that drives your change. Put on the armour of faith so that when you are faced with trials you will prevail. Grow your faith.

 

My dearest reader, I trust that this article has been somewhat encouraging and helpful.  Life as the flawed human beings we are is hard. Very difficult indeed but God always leaves us clues as to how we can make it through till we transcend. That is why ‘Stand firm’ is among the most common phrases in the bible. God is encouraging us, nudging us.

Gwenlyn, one of our arise sisters once said God does not bring or give you trials he allows them to happen because he is moulding you. Free will comes in when we chose to or not to stand firm.

‘Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your work in love.’

                                                                                                (1Cor 16: 13)

 

Remain blessed and do share with us in the chat section or privately, what kind of year you have had so far and what you are looking forward to next year!