How to Stand Firm and Not Fear

We have strength through His power when we stand firm in Him. When you think of standing firm, what comes to your mind? Maybe you are facing a fierce wind, or trying to walk through high, flowing water. Standing firm requires strength and endurance. One time, my husband and I were hiking the Mid-State Trail up by Route 287. The cable that hikers used to cross the stream was broken, and the stream was at flood stage and flowing fast. We had to cross it to continue our hike. I went upstream and found a spot where the water was knee-high. My husband took off his boots, but I wore hiking shoes I could keep on. We struggled to keep our footing as we navigated the rocks we couldn’t see and kept from being knocked down by the fast-moving water. I was afraid, but I prayed and asked God for help and strength to cross safely. It was easier to walk against the rushing water and cross diagonally. This took us far from the trail. Once we got across, we had to make our way downstream to find the trail.

We all face unexpected challenges in our lives that attempt to knock us down, like a divorce, cancer diagnosis, financial loss, death, and so on. Sometimes unforeseen events knock us down, like a fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado. The Bible says we can stand firm in the Lord and in His power and strength. The Apostle Paul faced many challenges in his ministry, but he knew he could get through them by standing firm in the Lord. How do we do this, and what does it look like?

Why Should You Stand Firm

Remember, we are spiritual beings in a physical body, and we live in a spiritual world within the physical world. We face unforeseen events and challenges in the physical world, but often our struggles are spiritual in nature. The spiritual forces of evil use the physical world to destroy our faith by causing us to doubt God, tempt us to sin, or fall into the traps of worldliness.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-13. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12) 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. 13) 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.”

1. We need to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, who wants to bring destruction in your life. Unfortunately, we can’t see the destruction coming, but we can see the aftermath. He wants you to be afraid, unforgiving, angry, and to doubt God and His goodness. Memorize 2Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit NOT of fear but of power and love and self-control.” When you stand firm in the Lord and in His might (strength and power), you will not be overcome by the devil and his schemes or devises to oppress or destroy you. Speak into your soul that you have the spirit of power and don’t have to be afraid; you have the spirit of love and can forgive and give grace to those who are influenced by the evil one to cause you trouble. You also have the spirit of self-control and can choose to stand firm, to trust God, and not be afraid.
2. Standing firm in prayer helps you withstand the evil day. Remember, evil means to harm. No one knows when the evil day will come, so you need to stand firm spiritually every day. The thief comes at an unknown time.
3. We need to stand firm in God’s power against temptations to yield to our sinful flesh. Galatians 5:1 states, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” We all were slaves to sin, but those who believe in Jesus Christ and have received His redemption through His death on the cross have been set free from being slaves to sin. But the unseen spirit world will tempt you to give in to your sinful flesh; stand firm and do not yield to the temptation. Romans 13:14 states, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

How to Stand Firm.

Understand Psalm 46:1-3, which states, “God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2) Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Not being fearful is hard. I wrote in a post how I did not fear when I made God my refuge through prayer. You can read it here.

1. Stand firm by making God your refuge when you call on Him in prayer and trusting Him to protect you and provide for all you need (Phil 4:19 and Psalm 91).
2. Stand firm in God’s almighty strength and do not let fear control you. Moses said to the people in Exodus14:13, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” No one escapes troubles. So how can we see miracles if we don’t need one? God is a miracle-working God for those who take refuge in Him and trust Him to help them in their troubles. Fear is the opposite of faith, and God does not reward fear; He rewards faith (Matt. 21:22).

3. You stand fast through faith (Rom. 11:20-21, 1Cor. 16:13, and 1Peter 1:5).
4. Stand firm in the Lord through prayer and keeping your mind on the things above where Christ dwells. Psalm 91:1 says to make the Most High your dwelling place, then you will dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. Only when we trust in God do we have the power and strength to endure hardships and temptations.

Conclusion

Because we do not know when a tragic event will happen or we get bad news, we can stand firm every day in the Lord and put on God’s spiritual armor through prayer and study. Remember, you are fighting unseen evil spirits all around you that seek to destroy your faith, family, wealth, and health, but you don’t have to be afraid. I wrote a prayer to put on your spiritual armor; you can print it out and use it every day. Putting On The Armor Of God Prayer Model. With the armor of God on, you don’t have to be afraid. Know the truth in God’s word and use it to defeat the lies and temptations of the evil one.

You can read more on the Spiritual Warfare Page.

I pray you are blessed and encouraged.

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love (2John 1:3).”

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of relevant promises to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.  

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts. 

Additionally, consider my book Fighting Unseen Battles, which describes the many unhealthy beliefs that control our lives and what the truths are. To learn more about this book, read the post How to Fight Unseen Battles.  my post called Breaking Mental Strongholds Book. Also, check out Fighting Unseen Battles on Amazon. To learn more about this book, read: How to Fight Unseen Battles.

Contact me at hopeforcompletehealing@gmail.com, and ask for a PDF of Eight Life-changing Prayers from the Bible. The prayers are for the Spirit of wisdom, renewal, spiritual strength, knowledge of His will, virtues of God, non-believers, 23rd Psalm, and victory. I will also send you the Lord’s Prayer Model to pray effectively. Please leave your name, so I know you are a real person making the request.