Standing Strong in the “Evil Day”

By Steve Backlund

“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” (Ephesians 6:13).

I believe “the evil day” is not a single day but refers to the times in our lives where we are facing circumstances that seem overwhelming. These are times of unusual pressures and challenges where we mainly feel we need to react to what is happening rather than responding with intentionality and wisdom (putting out “fires’ and dealing with a seeming onslaught of bad news, tests, uncertainty, and problems). This “evil day” can happen to us personally, as a family, a church, or even as a nation. Whatever the case, after we have done what we know to do, then we STAND in the midst of the happenings knowing that God is powerfully working in the unseen realm on our behalf. It is in these times, we are told to put on the whole armor of God and “having done all, to stand.”

Let’s look at the phrase “having done all.” This implies we have done what we know to do, whether it is prayer, actions, involving others in our situation, or something else. After doing all these things, we are to stand. Standing implies holding our ground and not moving backwards when the winds are blowing against us. I have found the following keys help me stand well:

• Keep moving forward - The Children of Israel were told to move forward when it looked impossible in Exodus 14. The Red Sea parted as a result. 
• Feed yourself faith and hope “food” - Magnify the Lord, not the problem (Psalm 34:3). Increase your worship and intake of Scripture and inspirational teachings because the truth will make you free (first in your emotions and then in your circumstances).
• Keep connected to others - Isolation makes the problems seem bigger than they are. Elijah became suicidal and delusional in 1 Kings 19 when he was alone in the cave. What he thought was true was not, even though it felt really true. 
• Speak life - “Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). 
• Be generous and encourage others - As we find God flowing through us to bless others, it will help our own perspective.
• Pour your heart out to the Lord - Read the Psalms until you find the Psalmist expressing how you feel. Be real with God; He can take it. 
• Know this too will pass - Aren’t you glad the Bible says, “It came to pass” and does not say, “It came to stay.” 
• Bottom line things - This is a freeing belief: Even if the worst happens, I will be okay. The three Hebrew children in Daniel said this to the king who was threatening to kill them; “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not . . .” They knew that even if they were not delivered from the trial they were facing, they would be okay. Once we bottom line things and face the worst that could happen (which usually does not happen), we take the fear out of that and can move forward in building our faith and lives. 
• Avoid major decisions or conclusions - Avoid making major conclusions or decisions during these times. 
• Recommit to building your life on the rock - “And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:25). As we live committed to God’s heart and God’s way, we will be less impacted by storms we face in life. 

There is grace for us to stand in any evil days we face. As we remain in hope and vision for the future, and continue to believe in God’s goodness, we will find strength and confidence in the present. “I am confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). 

For more on this, listen to my podcast below.

Unreasonably optimistic,

Steve Backlund