Standing Strong
By Dr. David Jeremiah
In the film version of J. R. R. Tolkien’s
The Fellowship of the Ring , actor
Ian McKellen plays the role of the
timeless wizard Gandalf the Grey.
As he and the other members of the
Fellowship of the Ring flee from Orcs
through the Mines of Moria, beneath
Mount Caradhras, they’re pursued by
a terrible and ancient monster called
a Balrog. In the mines, they come to
a deep chasm over which stretches
a thin, stone bridge. Gandalf shoos
the others across the bridge to
safety and, standing in the middle of
the bridge, turns to face his foe. The
Balrog is a demonic creature, a living
manifestation of fire. Fire erupts
from his throat, fire emanates from
his body, and fiery lashes whip back
and forth around him. As the Balrog
makes everyattempt to destroy the
wizard, Gandalf plants his feet on
the stone bridge, faces the monster,
raises his arms—staff in one hand,
sword in the other—and bellows,
“You shall not pass!”
You no doubt know how the story
continues from there—and if you
don’t, I won’t spoil the surprise. But
here’s my point: Gandalf the Grey
fought by standing, not by swinging
his sword or his staff. This is what
Paul is telling you, that you are called
by God to fight by standing firm, to
take a stand so that evil shall not
pass. Through your faith, He gives
you the courage and strength to do
this.
But what if your faith is weak? What
if self-doubt, pain, or limiting beliefs
are so loud in your head and heart
they’re all you hear?
Solutions • 49