Battles are not always fought on mountain peaks. Wars are
not always waged on treacherous landscapes. Not all cannons shot across the bow
are on the sea; not all conflict exists in the baby blue dotted clouded
landscapes of the air. There are not always tanks rolling over sand dunes; many
times there are no bombs; no aircraft or missiles showcasing a wild crescendo
of explosions and destruction. In fact, most of the time, the hardest battle, and
the most tough fought is the one that rages inside our own soul.
We battle with ourselves, we clash with outside forces, we
crusade against our own emotions, we war against arguments and we skirmish
amongst trivial daily annoyances. We fight against what we often know is best
for us, warring against the bigger picture -- in a desperate attempt to hang on
to the known and the normal. We argue with everyone (but most especially ourselves)
because many times the quest for being right becomes more important (in our own
minds) than the quest for being righteous. We fight the wrong things for all
the wrong reasons. We allow ourselves to be slowly eaten alive and consumed by
doubt, fear, anxiety and worry…instead of turning such things over to something
bigger, all in the name of petty self-interest. But why?
Recently, I was reminded that I am fighting a battle all my
own, and it’s important for me to put my spiritual armor on each and every day.
I was gently nudged to remember that I am not fighting against flesh and blood,
but rather, scuffling against the principalities of the midnight black forces
of darkness. And that, my friends, is a different sort of war altogether – and,
arguably, the most important one.
So, put your armor on. Then, rush to battle.
You see, “my way” isn’t the only way…and “my way” doesn’t
always work either. But, when I self-discovered this actualization in my own
life, in my own head, I realized that it’s time to do something a little
different.
So, on my Evernote (and if you don’t use Evernote, you
should). I craft a daily “to do” list. I pick 20 items that I need to accomplish
in that day in order to be able to feel as if I did something worthwhile;
something that contributes to my financial and spiritual success. Among those
20 items that are – for me – crafted in stone, exist probably the most
important three: Journal, write down a list of five things I am grateful for
and pray.
A wordsmith by nature, I decided to combine these three
things -- for efficiencies sake. And this morning I did just that. In my
journal, I wrote down a list of five things I am grateful for. Then, I wrote down
what I am praying for. And, finally, when the day is done, I will write a short
synopsis on what that did for my day.
All because I chose to put my armor on. And now, I feel
ready for battle. You see? We each have our own hand crafted armor, we are all
given the power and tools to discover what we need…precisely when we need it.
That is, if we just believe.
What you choose to do each day becomes a part of who you are,
and when you choose something better and higher than the mediocrity of everyday
life, you are gifted with the power to do something more. And, consequently, if
you choose to stay stuck, if you choose to stay trapped, if you choose to stay
bitter and judgmental, you will remain in the doldrums of your own personal
hell. So, when it comes to the battle in your head, in your own heart, I have
but one question: How will you proceed?
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