This isn’t what you expect. There are misconceptions on many levels about many things in this life. Being a Warrior is one of them. Here are some basics on how to be a warrior. “Wait Scott, do I need to put my armour on?”
It’s Not Really About Going To War
Carmen and I have run in a “fun race” several different times called The Warrior Dash. It was created to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. That’s me in Warrior mode pictured above. In a fun way, it was about conquering a challenging course like a Warrior. But it wasn’t about competition, it was about raising money for a good cause.
Being a Warrior is about being like Jesus. While many hoped He would call together an army and defeat the mighty empire of Rome, He chose a different way. He understood the source of war. Jesus knows it all begins in our hearts.
A Warrior Is At Peace
As followers of Christ, we can and should be at peace. Are we? Most of us probably are not. I can’t tell you how many times I hear the words Worry and Fear. You can’t have worry and fear (or both of them) and have the peace of Christ at the same time. What we fear masters us, and what masters us creates fear.
Living in fear and worry steals our peace, our joy. This spirals us into depression. This is not a trait of a warrior (a follower of Christ). Yes, we follow Christ and many times find ourselves in a state such as this. But this should not be.
Giving up Control
This sounds anti-Warrior-like, but giving up control is about trusting Jesus with your life. It’s about being a follower of Jesus and not going your own way. Trust is key here. Trust is not just a nice warm fuzzy feeling like, “Awe, I really trust you.” But trust is a commodity that gives you great value. The more you trust Christ, the more you give up control, then the more value you bring to the Kingdom and those around you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in Him
Trust in Jesus gives us peace. If you have no peace, then you don’t really know Christ. It’s a matter of the heart. It all starts with your heart.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
To know Jesus, to really know Jesus, and to know Him personally, is to be at total peace. If you don’t know Him, then you can’t truly have peace.
If you are a Warrior, a follower of Christ, meaning you really know Him, then you are a rare breed. For not many who follow Him have that unsurpassed peace that a Warrior is made of.
Challenge of the Week
A Warrior is a very wise person. They know what it takes to follow Jesus and to reflect Him in all they do. What one thing will you do as a Warrior this week? And will that action bring greater peace? It’s a matter of the heart. Be a Warrior. So be it.
Check out the book, The Way of the Warrior, by Erwin McManus, and my blog post on the Shield of Faith – It’s More Than Defense.