Perhaps you have heard it said, “if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Taking a stand is not just having an opinion, but having an opinion, belief, or position that you hold before anyone, anywhere. Taking a stand is believing in something strongly enough that opposition will not change your mind. When we speak of the integrity of a building, structure, or system, we speak of its ability to stand under adverse and varied conditions. Engineers and architects now know how to build tall buildings which can withstand earthquakes and storms.
Our character as human beings can be measured by our ability to maintain the integrity of our beliefs in difficult times, through challenges, and amid strong opposition. Two tall buildings can appear to be built the same at visual appearance, but only the one that stands unchanged after an earthquake will determine whether it was built earthquake-proof. If you want to evaluate your character, look at the number of times you modify your beliefs depending on who you are talking to, or according the challenges you face. The strongest foundations are those that are strengthened with new knowledge but unchanged by opposition.
Ultimately, integrity must be tested by death. If the fear of death or loss can change your position, your position or belief was only a means to an end. The greatest contributors to our survival where those who were disciplined with beliefs that were ends, and not just a means to an end. When I think of earthquake-proof character, I think of Jesus who maintained his integrity in life and in the face of death. According to the record, he did not fall to the temptation to save his life at the expense of his position, but stood alone, defied death, and even caused an earthquake at his death that is still having aftershocks around the world. In order to achieve our greatest success, we must discipline ourselves to have earthquake-proof integrity in our day-to-day activities.