Stand firm

There is an old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” This is not the first crisis America has faced. This is not the first crisis Alaska has faced. In Philippians 4 verse 1 we are commanded to “stand firm.” God’s Word says, “In this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” The opposite of standing firm is to fall. No one enjoys falling on the ice. How can we stand firm in every circumstance? Philippians 4:1-9 provides six keys for standing firm.

First, we must draw close to God’s people (verses 1-3). Paul mentioned two women- Euodia and Syntyche- who did not get along. Both were Christians. Both were active church members. Both ministered with the apostle Paul. They did not get along. God urged them to settle their differences.

Imagine- two people who didn’t get along in the church! I’m shocked! Seriously, fellowship is an important spiritual discipline. We need each other. Believers in Jesus encourage each other. We must continue meeting together- in much smaller numbers- but we draw strength from one another.

Second, we must choose joy (verse 4). “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’” Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances or happenings. Joy is a settled conviction that God is in control. God is in control. He has a perfect plan. Choose joy every day!

Third, be gentle (verse 5). “Let your gentle spirit but known to all men. The Lord is near.” Gentle means gracious. It means to be flexible. As Alaskans we understand flexibility. Very few people build with brick in Alaska. Earthquakes require flexibility. We build our homes with wood. Wood is strong but flexible. In times of difficulty, there is no substitute for flexibility. We must roll with the punches. Will my family remain healthy or not? Will the stock market rise 1,000 points or sink 3,000? Be flexible! Every day is a new day.

Fourth, pray (verses 6-7). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” A prescription for worry is to pray. We are prohibited from worrying. Instead, we pray!

The promise is that God’s supernatural peace will guard or garrison our minds. Philippi was a Roman colony. Roman soldiers were stationed in Philippi. If we pray, we are promised God’s supernatural peace. It is the same peace God enjoys!

Praying “with thanksgiving” means to pray this way. “God, thank You that whatever You bring into My life is for Your glory and my highest good. I thank You in advance for whatever tomorrow brings.”

We can have peace with God through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Jesus offers peace through His perfect sacrifice. We enjoy the peace of God through prayer.

Fifth, meditate on God’s Word (verse 8). Paul writes, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

The great apostle could have said, “Read your Bible.” Instead, he described God’s Word as true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, excellent and worthy of praises. As Christians we stand on God’s promises. God has made great promises to us. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31) We “will never perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

Finally, obey the truth (verse 9). “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We must apply the truth.

God is working. He is calling us back to bedrock values. We can all admit our culture has gone astray. This virus reminds us what truly matters- being right with God through His Son Jesus, family, health and basic provisions (even toilet paper!). God is forcing us to look up and trust Him. He is smashing idols in our lives. He is calling us to be thankful. He is forcing us to slow down and meditate on His Word. God is using challenging times to hone our character. In the meantime, let’s stand firm. Draw close to God’s people. Choose joy. Be flexible. Pray about everything. Read God’s Word. Practice the truth.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.