How we define a warrior

When you hear the word “warrior” what comes to mind?

A hero? A soldier? A fighter? Someone willing to take a stand?

Maybe you are thinking of your own personal heroes in your life, those who have been pillars of strength, traversing their own battles with such grace. Those who have touched you so deeply that only God could’ve orchestrated their presence in your life.

But, here at Warrior Collections, we are most interested in this - Do you see yourself as a warrior?

If you're like most of our community members, your first thought is likely “no, I don’t really see myself as that.”

And why is that?

Our hope and prayer is that we are able to help you think again and remember who you are and why you are here, reclaiming your inner warrior spirit. Starting by defining, “what is a warrior?”

A Warrior Is…

Born of God

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world.” - 1 John 5:4

God is the beginning and the end, and in this life, He created us to be warriors.

We were born warriors so that we could take on the spiritual battles with a legion of angels by our side. ⁣

Whatever is happening in your life right now, whatever battles lay ahead of you, there is peace and comfort to be restored when you remember God’s ability to do good with ALL things (even the most painful). 

The training is happening now. He is strengthening you.  

That’s why He gave us a warrior spirit.

 

A Warrior Is…

A BELIEVER

“If God is for us then who can be against us?”  - Romans 8:31

At times it feels like the answer is “everyone.” 

“I was 22 when my personal life choices were aired on national television. “Insert headline” Within hours my decision to save myself for marriage was being discussed on all different corners of the internet. People were claiming “she is crazy” and as a young woman trying to discover myself while being repeatedly told my values and beliefs are a problem and concern for the world was core-shaking, to say the least. 

I grew up with a firm but loving mother from New York. She raised me to be tough and to know who I am. It was her lessons and God’s guiding force that prepared me for the sharp tongues of the media and the “cancel culture” that consumes it.

There were moments that the backlash was so painful that I started to wonder if I was in fact  crazy for the beliefs and values I held.

You see, standing as a warrior for God  isn’t always going to be the popular thing to do. People aren’t always going to agree or approve of us.  

But in our faithfulness to God, especially in the moments where we feel at battle with the world or even ourselves, He is able to make His next move. For me, that was Him bringing Carson into my life. It was all a part of His plan, and I see that now.”

None of us get to walk this Earth unscathed. Our scars are part of our story and God’s greater plan. So what is there to fear?

As the Navy SEALS say, “wounds heal. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.”

 

A Warrior Is…

CAPABLE

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  - Ephesians 2:10 

A warrior knows that God has prepared them, even when life blindsides them.

“Most people think there is nothing that can prepare us for a moment as heartbreaking as losing a loved one suddenly.

The thought alone is terrifying.

As someone who has lived through it, I can say, it is earth shattering. Losing Chris was like breaking into a million pieces - over and over again. I had to learn how to survive again. Somedays, I didn’t want to. Most days, I thought I’d buckle under the weight of it all.

But I knew God had prepared me for this. In each and every little way. He had divinely orchestrated my life to lead to that moment, and the ones that followed. 

We cannot always know His plan. He reveals it to us when we are ready. Just like when we are parents, and one of our kids has to undergo a challenge, for example, surgery. We don’t give them all the information at once. That would leave them overwhelmed and anxious. We give insight bit-by-bit, and guide them with a loving hand. 

Whatever your battles or blindsides, know and trust that He has prepared you for it ALL (sometimes we can only understand by looking back).”

 

A Warrior Is…

A Beacon 

 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.” -  Luke 8:16

There is a type of Japanese art, called Kintsugi, where broken pottery pieces are mended together by gold. With each broken piece, more gold. Making it literally becomes more valuable the more broken it is.

We are no different. The more we break the more we can allow light in.

Some of the most profound individuals are the ones who have endured the most pain.

It is in our ability to turn to God that we can transmute our greatest pain and make something beautiful.

In doing so, we are forever changed. We are able to forgive others, and ourselves. We can have reverence for Him working on ALL of us, and none of us are a Kintsugi masterpiece yet.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” - Mathew 18:20

Our fellow warriors, you are not alone.

May these words wash over you and remind you that you are ALREADY victorious, and our community here at Warrior Collections, we rise together.

It is ours for the taking.

#awakenthewarriorwithin

- Taya & Angela