Stand

You may be familiar with the story of James J. Braddock, which was told in the film Cinderella Man. Braddock was a former successful boxer who lost everything he had in the Great Depression. He couldn’t get work (much less a fight), couldn’t pay his bills, and was running the risk of losing his children.

In 1934, Braddock got a chance to fight against the number-two contender. He accepted the challenge even though he hadn’t trained or eaten a decent meal in a few years. He stepped into the ring for the money, but while in there, something clicked. At one point, his opponent hit him with a powerful clean shot across the mouth. The only thing on Braddock’s mind was his freezing children. Amazingly, he stayed on his feet, walked across the ring to pick up his mouthpiece, and asked for more. Braddock won the fight outright.

The Greek word for “stand” in Ephesians 6:13 is histemi, which also means to appoint or establish. When we stand firm after life delivers what seems like a shot to the head, we send a strong message to both those who meant harm and those watching. More people are watching than we know.