In all areas of life and ministry, we confront adversarial situations. As I read and study the great heroes of faith, successful organizations, and entrepreneurs, I see a common thread. This common bond or thread as I see it is a two-fold character trait. While each of these two facets are great qualities and can stand alone, together they solidify a man’s temperament stance, and resolve. These two character traits are a stalwart belief and a steadfast faith.
Standing stalwart in your beliefs and steadfast in your faith will carry a man farther than skill, ability or fortune. Those finding themselves in an adversarial position may not be able to rely on fortune, skill, or ability. The two elements that can be relied upon are belief in a successful outcome and a faith to carry on through the difficulty.
One thought that may come to mind here is that the outcome may not be the “successful” outcome as we perceive or desire. However, God’s ways are much greater than our ways and His thoughts higher than ours. Therefore, it is worthy to always look at the outcome and see it from God’s kingdom perspective. I venture to say we all have journeyed through certain situations with a hope for certain results. Yet, looking back, the actual outcome turned out to be much more advantageous than our meager expectations. Be stalwart in your beliefs and steadfast in your faith.
I think of Hudson Taylor who spent more than forty years as a missionary in China: A man who faced many hardships including losing four of his children and his wife in death and his own physical ailments through the years. Yet he continued on and in a time when there was no mass transit or modern communication. Even to receive a letter from home would take five to six months. Hudson Taylor had a stalwart belief and a steadfast faith.
One of the great men of faith from the first century is the apostle Paul. Reading some of the words of the Apostle Paul from the New Testament gives us insight into a man who was both stalwart in belief and steadfast in his faith.
Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the depths of the sea.
On frequent journeys, [I faced] dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (HCSB)
The apostle Paul suffered all these things, yet he always had words to share of his love and devotion to the God he served. Paul was stalwart in his journey. Always pressing on, no matter what hardships he faced. He never stopped, suffering through all these things. Even after all this torture, pain, and hardship, Paul was found singing and praising God in prison; witnessing to the guards and writing letters of encouragement and training to the churches he had helped to start. He didn’t complain. Instead, in his own words Paul said, “I press on…” Paul was stalwart in his belief and steadfast in his faith; never wavering.
God has promised He will never leave nor forsake you. He is with you every day, all day. Jesus, in the last words of the Great Commission, said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” You have what it takes to build a stalwart belief and steadfast faith. Stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before so that you will be strengthened for the victory and your shoulders will be broadened for those who come after you.
This is living the life of a faithful fruit-bearing servant. Holding on to a stalwart belief and a steadfast faith you can reach the summit of God’s call on your life and ministry.
This post comes from chapter thirteen of Reaching he Summit: Avoiding and Reversing Decline in the Church. For more on being Stalwart in belief and steadfast in faith pick up your copy of Reaching The Summit or contact George Yates.