Do You See a Mighty Warrior in Your Mirror?

I’m thinking about all of the warriors who have risen to the top during these “beyond normal” days of COVID-19. This has been a survival-of-the-fittest for those who arose to the challenges despite the inconveniences, the lifestyle changes, the stay-at-home orders, the abandonment of public get-togethers, etc.

But even before this unparalleled season, we've all had defining moments that either made us or broke us. But, whatever they were -- God did what He does best – He used them for good. I speak from plenty of experience. As I look back on some of the toughest of times, I realize they made me stronger, wiser, gutsier, and braver.

Here’s the thing -- our destiny and purpose are wrapped up in each and every one of these times. It's that "stuff" that makes a warrior – the warrior moments that seemed like the worst of worst times that we call adversity, but were actually the turbo boost to propel us to where we were meant to be.

Maybe you’re one of the rare-breed who has weathered this season like an undaunted champion. You’ve been on duty 24/7 with food prep, school-at-home regimes, games and activities that keep your “team” occupied and having fun. Maybe, you’re one of the front-liners who have fearlessly put yourself at risk and in harm’s way to help others. You have worn face masks so much that your face has lines embedded in them. Shout outs to all of you warriors! You deserve recognition, awards and jewels in your heavenly crown!

On the other hand, some are hanging on by a mere thread – and the thought of ONE MORE DAY of this is nearly overwhelming. I assure you of this -- the times of adversity either make us stronger and cause us to have the "warrior” mentality or we succumb to the pressure and throw in the towel with the "pull-the-blanket-over-the-head” mentality. One makes us stronger and leads to success, while the other causes us to quit.

I recall God’s words to Gideon: “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12) even though he didn't feel like a mighty warrior. And, God has said that to us, too! The enemy came in to devastate our world. My lightning fast mind knows that this invasion wasn’t from God – nothing evil comes from Him. But, the enemy of our souls DOES come in “like a roaring lion – seeking whom he may devour”. (1 Peter 5:8)

I believe God sees mighty warriors in each of us too. Imagine facilitating home school, you’re making yet ANOTHER meal, paying bills, sorting laundry and God appears to you saying, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” God makes victors out of the ordinary and overlooked. God seems to delight in working powerfully through unexpected “warriors”.

So when you look in the bathroom mirror today, who will you see? Even if you’re hiding in there from the kids, you can choose to see a mighty warrior for God. In fact, in Him, we ARE mighty warriors! Isn't that the warrior mentality we all should have to take on all life with passion and purpose and dig in deep to declare war on ANY and EVERYTHING that tries to stop God's assignments? Indeed, we are mighty warriors!

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4

The Warrior Mentality

We all have defining moments that either make or break us.  Whichever they are -- God will use them for our good.  Our destiny and purpose is wrapped up in each and every one of them.  It's that "stuff" that causes the aha moments -- those moments that seemed like the worst of worst times, but were actually the turbo boost to propel us to where we were meant to be. Most of the time, those defining moments come as adversity.
The times of adversity either make us stronger and cause us to have the "warrior mentality" or we succomb to the pressure and throw in the towel and have the "pull-the-blanket-over-the-head mentality".  One makes us stronger and leads to success and the other causes us to quit and leads to failure stories.   They're either stories that said "I pushed through to victory" or "I gave up and quit.  IF ONLY....I had persisted."    From Abraham Lincoln to Steve Jobs to Michael Jordan, great leaders and achievers push themselves beyond the point of failure and take a step back to re-evaluate why they started the journey in the first place.  Even when their body or mind tells them to quit, they dig deep and push through the adversity.

That's what our annual Unstoppable Summit is all about.  This weekend, once again (8 years in a row), incredible, die-hard leaders from all over the country have come together to re-evaluate, re-focus, re-ignite, re-enforce and re-mind ourselves that we are warriors who are on a daily mission to accomplish everything God assigns us to -- all for the purpose of making the difference in people's lives.    I loved it yesterday morning when we were talking about the "warrior mentality" of strength, courage and determination.  Warriors don't fear combat -- in
fact, it causes them to rise to the challenge.  They are on the front line with their trusted comrades and strongly value both courage AND loyalty.  Warriors are distinctly solid and physical, ready for action.   Today, Staci brought out a sword that had been given to her by her pastor because he said he saw her as a warrior.  She asked Anthony Abron​ to demonstrate his warrior voice.  In his big, booming, boisterous, strong and authoritative voice he belted out his interpretation of a warrior's offensive, protective, determined cry.....AND, it shook the house.  That cry/yell would certainly cause the enemy to run in terror.  And, isn't that what our attitude toward the enemy should be?  Not a wimpy, woe-is-me, pitiful attitude and cry, but one that causes the enemy to flee.

Almost as if on queue, a knock came to Larry & Staci's front door, it was Pastor Keith Craft (their pastor and,(by the way -- a complete surprise to all of us).  He wanted to show us his Team Strike Force's new meanest, baddest, AWESOME F650 truck.   "Now that's a WARRIOR'S machine!" Team Strike Force was founded by Pastor Keith Craft 28 years ago -- with the purpose of conducting school assemblies to motivate and encourage students with doing what's right.  They are Christian bodybuilders who wow crowds with their feats of strength.     That's "Warrior Mentality".  Being tenacious, committed, passionate about doing the right thing and helping young people become warriors who do the right thing too.  

Isn't that the warrior mentality we all should have when it comes to standing up for what's right and doing what's right -- to take all life with passion and purpose and dig in deep to declare war on ANY and EVERYTHING that tries to stop God's assignments?