After You’ve Done All You Can, You Just Stand

Experiencing some difficulties in my life, I came upon my daughter singing intensely with her earphones on and tears in her eyes.

I asked what she was listening to and she let me hear a remarkable song. After that, it became mine as well. The words are for all of us. In each of our lives there are tests, hardships and difficulties, but sometimes a simple song is enough to turn everything around. The song is entitled, “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin.

In his 1842 poem, “The Rainy Day” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Into each life some rain must fall,” and these words have held their validity to this day. It is true that just as we experience the sun, we also must experience the rain. But how do we cope when the deluges and downpours come? Above all else, turning toward God is the solution:

Turning the face towards God brings healing to the body, the mind and the soul. – Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’u’llah and the New Era, p. 101.

You should, therefore, leave all your affairs in His Hands, place your trust in Him, and rely upon Him. He will assuredly not forsake you. In this, likewise, there is no doubt. – Baha’u’llah, Fire and Light, p. 10.

The soul-stirring song “Stand” talks about those times when we feel overwhelmed and powerless as a result of life’s challenges. Sometimes, no matter what we do, we are not able to loosen their hold on us. We feel helpless and alone. But the Baha’i teachings tell us that in those times we have the opportunity to connect with our Creator with an intimacy and vulnerability we never could before. In the realization that only God can deliver us from our difficulties, we can surrender.

If we stand wrapped in the arms of God’s compassion and just let go, an inner knowing occurs—we understand that He has the situation under control. We may not see the ending now, but if we stand patiently in His love and allow Him to see us through, in due time the way will be made clear.

When all the doors seem to have shut, when the way seems barred and your vision has dimmed, stand strong and confident in the knowledge that a loving Creator has a divine plan and will never abandon you:

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. – Deuteronomy 31:8.

Take courage! God never forsakes His children who strive and work and pray! – Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 30.

Whether you face illness, addiction, loss or other troubles, know that there is a power inside you. When we look inside ourselves we can find an inner strength we didn’t know we were capable of. When we stand, surrender, and trust, we can find the safety of the Creator’s love already inside us:

Peace be upon him whom the light of truth guideth unto all truth, and who, in the name of God, standeth in the path of His Cause, upon the shore of true understanding. – Baha’u’llah, The Book of Certitude, p. 43.

O Son of Utterance! Thou art My stronghold; enter therein that thou mayest abide in safety. My love is in thee, know it, that thou mayest find Me near unto thee. – Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words, p. 6.

Are you standing?

Stand

What do you do
when you’ve done all you can
and it seems like you can’t make it through?
And what do you say
when your friends turn away,
and you’re all alone?
Tell me, what do you give
when you’ve given your all,
and it seems like you can’t make it through?

Well you just stand
when there’s nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes after you’ve done all you can,
You just stand

Tell me what do you do
when you’ve given your all
And it seems, it seems like
You can’t make it through?

Well, you just stand,
when there’s nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you’ve done all you can
You just stand.

Stand and be sure
Be not entangled in that bondage again
You just stand and endure.
God has a purpose.
God has a plan.

Tell me what do you do
when you’ve done all you can
and it seems like you can’t make it through?
Child you just stand
Through the storm (stand),
Stand through the rain (stand)
Through the hurt (stand), oh,
Stand through the pain (you just)

I’ll hold on (stand)
I’ll be strong (stand)
God will step in (stand),
And it won’t be long (you just)

After you done all you can you just stand