The Way of the WarriorSample

THE WARRIOR FIGHTS ONLY FOR PEACE 

The war to end all wars is the battle for the human heart. I have been asked many times over the years why the Bible depicts God as a god of war. I am always reminded that it is not God who created humanity to live in violence, but rather it is humanity that chooses violence.

God is tainted by being part of our story, but the story of God is a story of peace. He did not hope for peace; he fought for peace. The language of God as a warrior came to exist because he intervened for the defenseless. More than any of us, God understands the war that rages within and around us and longs to lead us to the end of violence.

We are people of war because we are a people at war. The way of the warrior is the way of Jesus. While others hoped he would call out an army, incite a rebellion, and use his power to topple an empire, he chose a different way. He understood the source of all wars. He knew it all began in the human heart.

The greatest enemies of the peace within are worry and fear. We have no control over the reality that in this world we will have trouble, but we have control over whether we decide to allow our hearts to be troubled. While worry will rob our joy, fear will steal our freedom, for what we fear establishes the boundaries of our freedom. What we fear has mastery over our souls. Depression is how your soul processes regret; anxiety is how your soul processes fear. When we are anxious, we lose our strength. When we are afraid, we lose our courage. When we have found peace, we have both the strength and courage to live the lives we were created to live.

Peace does not come when you finally have control over your life; peace comes when you no longer need control. You cannot control your circumstances, but you can control your character. You cannot control the actions of others, but you can control the choices you make. You cannot control the outcome, but you can control the process.

It may seem like a small thing, but when you get up in the morning and face your fears, you are participating in the redemption of the universe. When you refuse to allow yourself to be paralyzed by the uncertainty of tomorrow and set forth with courage and faith, you become part of creating a new world- a better world.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

What fear in your life has mastery over your soul? How is that fear creating boundaries to your freedom? Are you allowing anxiety to take your strength, or regret to lead you to despair? How can you begin to relinquish the need for control over your life to God?