Stand Fast. Run Well.

This post was written by TeenPact Student Body Representative John Clayton of Texas.

Last May, I was elected as your Representative of the TeenPact Nation, and I am honored and blessed to be in this position. I never knew that my own slogan of #StandFastRunWell would apply so much to my own life and would like to share what God has been teaching me lately.

Many of us share the mountain top experiences of TeenPact events like State Class, National Convention and other alumni events. The friends, the worship, the speakers, the personal challenges to our faith are amazing! But is anyone like me in dealing with the challenges on the other side? Upon leaving a TeenPact event, did anyone feel a sudden wave of depression with cares waiting at home, anxiety or just thoughts of what to do now? Well, you’re not alone, because I felt that exact way about National Convention this year. Somehow, I felt as if nothing could touch us during that event. God was the focus. But only 10 minutes after our car pulled away, I was just hit with all these overwhelming thoughts. Once home, I just felt as if the devil constantly hit me on school or depression of being overwhelmed with it all. I felt constantly beat down. It was so crazy, because I had had such an incredible week! Then it later hit me. Jesus never said being a Christian was supposed to be easy, but because He overcame the world, the amazing thing is that I could, too.

This fall, I’ve been in a student Bible study using a book called, Lord, Is It Warfare? Teach Me to Stand. If you are constantly being hit with despair, I would definitely recommend it. Through it, I’ve learned greater is Jesus who lives in me. One of the keys He gives is in Ephesians 6:11,“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

The devil is the father of lies and he his job is to attack our minds with lies. For instance… Have you ever doubted whether you’ve ever really heard from God, or even if you’re saved? Is your self-image at zero? Have you felt like a failure as a student, son, daughter, sibling or even a child of God? Has someone failed or hurt you? Do you live to get even with someone? Have you ever thought about just giving in to sin deciding that nothing really is going to change about your life? Have you thought you’ll never be able to overcome a sin habit or just felt condemned because you’re always failing there? Have you wanted to run away from life or thought, “what’s the use?” Or even thought of ending it all? NO!! That’s the devil trying to destroy you. Don’t buy it! Don’t give in! This is the war we have against the devil, and we have someone on our side, and that is Jesus Christ! We are able to overcome in triumph against the devil and his schemes and stand fast in our Lord and fight the good fight.

I think I finally understand why I had let the devil discourage me. I wasn’t daily renewing my mind (Romans 12) and putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6). Remember, the battle is already won, and we are free from this sin. Romans 8:1 also assures us of this.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

If it wasn’t for the blood of Jesus Christ, we would still be dead in our sins. Why I bring up all this scripture is because the devil will try to tell you lies like, “God doesn’t really love you.” “A loving God wouldn’t let these things happen in the world.” “You can never change.” All LIES and accusations against God and you. Your enemy wants to rob you of the life that God planned. John 10:10 says,“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

That’s why I encourage you with God’s scriptures to remind you of God goodness. I’ve bought some of these lies and regretted them but later realized that all the sin in the world has been paid for by the blood of the Son of God. If you find yourself in a time of hardship, I urge you to cry out to God who will perform all things for you (Psa. 57:2). He will help you! Then stand fast in God’s love for you.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Stand fast and run well, my friends. Jesus said He’d never leave you. Love you guys!

Representative John Clayton