Several years ago, I remember hearing the concept of ‘Standing Firm in Faith’ related through a story concerning American Indigenous people. It was said that when they went out into the battlefield, the warriors often took a stake and a length of leather cord with them. They would drive the stake into the ground, at the point of their defensive position, and then tie themselves to it. This action would make retreat impossible for them. They would fight their fight precisely from that spot – until victory or death.
I have to say that this illustration had a very dramatic impact on my young Christian heart and mind. I definitely appreciated the concept of their “all-or-nothing complete dedication” to what they were undertaking. There was no ‘PLAN B’. Too many times, I thought Christ followers shifted to alternate paths forward. When it got too tough, too dangerous, or too costly, some backup plan allowed them the room to change course for something else. Usually, it was something less intense and less challenging. I know I have done this myself numerous times along the way. It left me feeling uncomfortable.
However, I now find that I am not as attached to the need for that ‘stake & cord mentality.’ Although it paints a dramatic image of commitment and refusal to fall back, I now believe it could be focused on the wrong point of the battle.
Today, I realize that the “FIRM” in my Faith needs to occur long before I encounter that first sign of conflict, before I become confused, start retreating, or plan to alter my path. Picture it like this: if I am working on a diet plan to prevent over-eating, my reasoning and understanding of how to fight that battle must be solidly implanted in my head and heart BEFORE I stand in front of an open fridge door. I guess I could make things easier if I just threw out the refrigerator and all the bad food in it. It does solve the problem – albeit a bit radically. But what if I took the time to strengthen my faith (planned actions/responses) ahead of the trouble?
And THAT is perhaps the largest truth for those walking in faith to embrace: we must expect trouble. More people are blind-sided and crushed along the way because they don’t consider the possibilities of action by the enemy and any of the attached individual hardships. Jesus clearly pointed out that it is not a consideration of IF trouble comes for us, but the preparation for WHEN trouble comes. Placing this foreknowledge into our future planning goes a long way to ensuring we are not put off and suddenly struggling for solutions to get around what we may face.
But this understanding does not mean we fix our eyes on the enemy. We cannot spend all our time watching for him or the signs of his activity. This is yet another trap to confuse and weaken the faithful. Our connection to the Father must be sturdy and the sole central focus in our lives. Eyes on the Prize. Strongly built up through prayer and our pursuit of the Word. Continued focus on Him and who He is means our trust will be in Him alone – nothing else can shake us. This is the concept of being fully submitted to Jesus long before ill winds start to blow.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
-James 4:7-8
If it starts to seem like God “feels” absent or distant, your faith “feels” dry, or you “feel” alone – you will now clearly be able to see these feelings are not your faith. Your heart can and will deceive you with its feelings and emotions. We must be rooted down deeper than that. And it must happen sooner rather than later in our walk with Him.
There is much wisdom for us to embrace through Proverbs 3:5, which states that we are NOT to lean on our own understanding. God is constantly at our shoulder through the Holy Spirit to show us which path to take. Not that path that looks best, or easiest, or safest. My immediate discussions with Him, when things look like they may be heading off track, is my protection. It is my cue to activate my faith as I work through any situation completely. I will not be affected by man’s words, be it praise or condemnation. When my audience is always only One, then I am seeing His ways and means ahead of anything else. And in that, I see Him and work with Him in the full potential of His truth and grace. I can remain unaffected by the lying whispers of Satan, his minions, or any situation that may come. Let the winds blow. I will be unchanged, as He has been unchanged since the dawn of all that is.
The apostle Paul put it into direct action steps for his protégé Timothy. His thoughts can also serve us well in our journey:
“Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith.” -1 Timothy 6:11-12
Don’t wait to strengthen your faith. Don’t expect or hope for defenses to suddenly spring up from nowhere. Do it now! Build them in the most powerful knowledge you have: Who God is and Whose you are. Then, when things go sideways, you will already be standing firm (rooted) in your faith before the first doubt starts to form.
It is not necessarily a response at the moment. It is preparation for the inevitable.
No stake required!
