Still Standing

“…and after you have done everything, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13

We have a funny way of defining victory.

We think victory means the battle is over.

The prayers have all been answered.

The sickness is gone.

The relationship has been restored.

The temptation has disappeared.

The conflict has been resolved.

The smoke has cleared.

Then we say, “I won.”

Paul doesn’t.

When Paul writes about the armor of God, he never promises the battle will end tomorrow.

He never says the attacks will stop.

He never says the enemy will give up.

In fact, he assumes the battle will continue.

That’s why he tells us to put on the whole armor of God.

Then, almost surprisingly, he tells us what victory looks like.

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

That’s it.

Stand.

At first, it almost feels disappointing.

Shouldn’t victory look bigger than that?

Shouldn’t there be a trophy?

A celebration?

A dramatic ending where all the problems disappear?

Instead, Paul says that after you’ve prayed…

After you’ve trusted…

After you’ve obeyed…

After you’ve endured…

After you’ve taken every hit the enemy could throw…

Stand.

Why?

Because standing means you weren’t defeated.

The enemy didn’t get what he wanted.

He wanted you to quit.

He wanted you to lose hope.

He wanted bitterness to replace grace.

He wanted fear to replace faith.

He wanted you to walk away from God.

But you’re still here.

Still praying.

Still trusting.

Still worshiping.

Still believing.

Still standing.

Sometimes that’s the greatest victory of all.

Job understood this.

He lost his wealth.

He lost his children.

He lost his health.

He lost the understanding of his friends.

There were days when he questioned.

Days when he grieved.

Days when he couldn’t make sense of what God was doing.

But when the smoke cleared…

Job was still standing.

Not because he had all the answers.

Because he never let go of the God who had him.

The same is true for you.

Maybe you’re disappointed because life doesn’t look the way you hoped it would.

Maybe you’ve been praying for healing that hasn’t come.

Maybe you’ve been waiting for an answer that still hasn’t arrived.

Maybe you’re simply tired.

Don’t underestimate what God is doing in your life.

Every day you choose faith over fear…

Every day you choose forgiveness over bitterness…

Every day you choose hope over despair…

Every day you refuse to quit…

You are standing.

And heaven sees that as victory.

One day the battle will end.

One day every tear will be wiped away.

One day there will be no more suffering, no more temptation, and no more spiritual warfare.

But today isn’t that day.

Today…

Stand.

Not because you know how the battle will end.

Not because you feel strong enough.

Stand because the One who has held you through every battle has never failed you yet.

Sometimes victory isn’t found in crossing the finish line.

Sometimes victory is simply this…

When the smoke clears…

You’re still standing.