Tony Dungee: This Mentality For Warfare

August 21

“You can have an impact anywhere you are.” ~ Tony Dungee

The question I find myself asking is simply this: what are my strongholds? Can I name them? Am I willing to name them honestly, and by this I mean… what are the spiritual strongholds that my enemy holds upon my life?

I ask is this, as well: am I aware of the battles that await? It’s not difficult for us to be ambushed, though God’s Word warns us to be on guard. But when I have a strong mentality and awareness of battle and even look forward to going to war against my God’s enemies, my approach to those battles is vastly different then when I am found to be in a defensive (and fearful) posture, with enemies on the horizon. Excitement can only come from a place of understanding that my foes are inferior and my ability to overwhelm them is certain.

Before I can utilize this knowledge and the weapons God has provided me with, I must also be aware of where I may be vulnerable and weakest. What ground has the enemy already taken hold of and what’s the terrain? Where exactly is the enemy and do I have the high ground? I’m certain to be ambushed on occasion, that’s unavoidable. But am I walking into battles equipped with adequate weapons and ammo but no knowledge of how, when or even where to use them? And do I know where the enemy is? You don’t charge blindly into battles without knowing these things! A good battle strategy is not only flexible, it is informative. So diligence becomes as equally  important as my knowledge and my weapons. As I watch and prepare each day for war with the Lord by my side, I grow more confident in His abilities and am thankful for such an ally! And my mentality in this spiritual warfare is simply this: live or die, my confidence in total victory is certain and unshakeable. I can no more ignore where I am weakest then I should know where I am strongest, and when I understand that my stronghold of strength against my spiritual foe is The Lord my God… how can I be troubled?

Whatever my spiritual state is, walking into my spiritual battles knowing my God goes with me AND before me gives me a decided – and definitive – edge regardless of what I may face or who awaits me on the battlefield, today. And THAT gives me great courage for whatever lies ahead.

Peace, Sean Gutteridge

Today’s Scripture: Nahum 1:7-8

7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.