AFTER YOU’VE DONE ALL YOU CAN, JUST STAND

What do you do when you are stuck at the crossroads, and you’ve done all you can? Stand. You. Just. Stand.

While this advice may seem counterintuitive and illogical to those of you who may be broken and collapsed due to emotional, spiritual, relational, or even physical trials, I believe it is God’s answer for you today.

How do I know?  

Personal, painstaking experience. Yes, I have been on a prolonged journey to standing. And it is in this place of brokenness and pain, fear and insecurity, that God is meeting me and teaching me how to stand again.

THE ALTERNATIVE TO FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE OR FAWN: JUST STAND

STAND.

Just one simple word. A fairly easy action. Not much thinking is required.

But it is not our “go-to” position, is it?

When we face an obstacle or adversary, we usually rely on our automatic “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” responses.

💪🏼 FIGHT: We engage in the battle.

• We attack and go on the offensive.
• We get angry and impatient.
• We can blame, confront, or dominate.

🏃🏻‍♀️ FLIGHT: We run from the battle.

• We hide and take cover.
• We get fearful and anxious.
• We can retreat, isolate, or panic.

🥶 FREEZE: We play dead.

• We shut down and disassociate.
• We get depressed and hopeless.
• We can detach, quit, or surrender.

🏳️ FAWN: We try to appease the enemy.

• We avoid conflict and diffuse danger.
• We try and overcompensate by people pleasing.
• We submit, cower, and back down.

These are all natural reactions when we face an overwhelming battle. Depending on the enemy, the particular battle, or our state of mind, we can resort to any number of these trauma responses.

We can pull ourselves together, gather our resources, and prepare to fight. We may run for cover, hoping to protect ourselves from the flying shrapnel, waiting until the storm passes. Sometimes, we are so surprised and shell-shocked that we can only freeze in fear and panic. And finally, we may frantically wave the white flag, giving in to our enemy just to find some peace.

Yet the Bible does not offer any of these responses–fight, flight, freeze, or fawn–when we face the enemy’s attacks.

Instead, God offers an alternative: Stand.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” 

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

The phrase that keeps resonating with me is

“…and after you have done everything, to stand.”  

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)

“to stand firm in your place–fully prepared, immovable, victorious”  (AMP)

“so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet” (MSG)

WHEN THE BIBLE TELLS US TO JUST STAND: TWO BIBLICAL ACCOUNTS

Before, after, and during the battle.

There is never a time when God tells us to stop standing.

Did you catch that? He does not give us an out. He does not say there is a time to run and hide. He does not mean that after we have given it our best, we can quit and sit down.

THE ISRAELITES BATTLE AT THE RED SEA

One of the most iconic stories in the history of the Jewish people is the fleeing from Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. Even those who have never read the Bible, know the miraculous parting of the waters so that the people could walk through on dry land.

A little background is helpful to put this event in context. God had told Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let God’s people go. Pharaoh refused, so God sent plague after plague. After the tenth and final plague took the life of Pharoah’s son, he finally relented. So, the Israelites gathered their families, packed up their belongings, and ran for freedom. But almost immediately after releasing the people, Pharaoh had a change of heart and sent his armies and chariots to recapture them.

Put yourself in the shoes (or sandals) of the Israelites. Their first response was to take flight. Next, they reach the Red Sea, an impassable obstacle, with Pharaoh and his army closing in quickly. What do they do next? Turn around and fight (they have no weapons)? Freeze in panic and fear? Wave the white flag of surrender and return to Egypt as slaves?

WHAT GOD TELLS THE ISRAELITES TO DO

It is at this critical juncture that Moses speaks and tells the people what God wants them to do:

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

The Egyptian army is approaching fast and furious on horses with weapons drawn, and the Red Sea is just ahead, raging and insurmountable. And Moses tells them to STAND STILL?

I would be preparing to fight, run, hide, or swim. Anything but stand still.

Reading other translations of this verse only enlarges our understanding:

• The KJV reads, “hold your peace.”
• The NLT says, “just stay calm.”
• The ESV translates, “be silent.”
• The Message uses the strongest language, “keep your mouths shut.”

Not exactly the words one would use for battle, right?

Maybe I would be so frightened that I would stand motionless, paralyzed by fear. But quiet? I think it would be difficult to stifle the screams that would naturally erupt from my mouth.

Yet, that is exactly what Moses told the Israelites to do:

STAND FIRM AND BE STILL.

Most of us know how this story ends (or we would not keep retelling it thousands of years later): God parted the Red Sea and enabled the Israelites to escape the Egyptians by walking through on dry land. He then delivered them completely by covering the Egyptian army in the waters. All they had to do was stand firm, and be still, just like Moses commanded.

THE LORD FIGHTS FOR KING JEHOSHAPHAT & HIS PEOPLE

Another great story of God fighting for His people happens over five hundred years later while King Jehoshaphat is the ruler of Judah. The Moody Bible Commentary sets up the story for us:

The invasion of the forces of Moab, Ammon, and Meunites…was itself unexpected and a shock to the nation…They were a formidable force, a great multitude. This surprise attack found Jehoshaphat with little time for preparation and vulnerable, so the king was afraid.

The Moody Bible Commentary

But instead of doing what most kings would do in this situation, consult their generals, develop a battle plan, and assemble their fighting forces, King Jehoshaphat turned to the Lord, calling on all the people to fast and seek God’s face.

Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance.  O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

2 Chronicles 20:5-12 (NLT)

King Jehoshaphat’s reaction is very different from the fight, flight, freeze or fawn response. He turns to God instead, pleading his ignorance and asking for help.

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

God responded to the king’s sincere prayer and the nation’s faith with a word from the LORD through the prophet Jahaziel:

 He said, ‘Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!‘”

2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (NLT)

We cannot miss the crucial words that echo from Moses standing at the Red Sea.

• This is God’s battle, not yours.
• You won’t have to lift a hand in the battle; just stand firm.
• Don’t be afraid. Don’t waver. March out boldly–God is with you.

Once more, as promised, God makes His presence known, fighting for His people. He orchestrates ambushes against the opposing armies, leading to their demise. In their confusion, they turn against each other, resulting in their ultimate defeat.

WHAT GOD SAYS HE WILL DO FOR US WHEN WE STAND

God will use his strength and power to deliver us.

…Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today.”  Exodus 14:13 (MSG)

God will protect us with his armor.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”  Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

God will stay by our side and never leave us alone.

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

HOW TO JUST STAND

Our struggles in this life are real, powerful, and inevitable. God knows this and wants us to prepare for the onslaught 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 are not to be passive participants but to proactively prepare for battle by arming ourselves.

The hard days are sure to come. There will be battles. And when they do, we have to choose to stand our ground.

While our hard-wired response when we face danger may be the “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” response, we can choose God’s option instead: Stand.

Don’t attack or react aggressively. Don’t run away and hide in fear. Don’t freeze, paralyzed by anxiety and doubt. And don’t give in to the Enemy of your soul.

S – SEEK strength in the Lord.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.“

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

T – TRUST God to fight the battle.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.“

Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV)

A – ACCEPT God’s armor for protection.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.“

Ephesians 6:13-15 (ESV)

N – NEUTRALIZE the Enemy with God’s Word and faith.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…”

Ephesians 6:16-17 (ESV)

D – DEFEND your ground through prayer.

…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” 

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

ARE YOU READY TO JUST STAND?

If you need to get back on your feet in any area of your life, I invite you to join me on this journey by meeting me, God, and others here AT THE CROSSROADS where we will learn to stand again together.

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LET’S STAND TOGETHER

I have a few more things to tell you about standing. I would be remiss if I did not let you in on these truths.

• Standing is difficult, especially when you don’t feel like moving.
• Standing stretches you in ways you cannot imagine.
• Standing can get uncomfortable.
• Standing may be misunderstood by others in your life.

But in the end, if God calls you to stand, it is precisely what you need to do.

YOU. JUST. STAND.

I’ll leave you with a powerful song: “Stand” by Britt Nicole. I pray it encourages those of you who have done all you can. Trust God and give yourself permission to just stand as you begin this week!