The true warrior understands that encouragement is a required discipline for advanced warriors. Encouragement is an attitude, a perspective, a discipline, a principle, a philosophy, a practice, and a mindset that every true warrior must embrace!

All too quickly, we can be dismissive, thoughtless, and not supportive, without even contemplating the power of our words. Think about times when you have fostered an idea and set it forth. How often was it trampled by kindly advice or suggestions? Now think of a time when you were supported in an idea, undertaking, or endeavour? How do you compare these two sets of experiences?

When Jesus was teaching his disciples, at one point he asked that they take their training to the next level. He asked them to go out, on their own or in pairs, and preach the good news to the community. He counselled them in practice and in behaviour. He sent them out so that each would learn, develop, and spread the good word about God’s presence here among us. He admonished his disciples ‘not to cast pearls amongst swine.’ What did he mean by that admonition?

The true warrior knows that a new idea or thought is fragile at the moment of conception, as is all life. The very act of creation is powerful but extremely delicate. Think of a seed that germinates and sends out a tendril of new life. This tendril is very delicate. What are its chances of survival? The answer depends on the setting, the environment, and the circumstance—all things that can ruin its chances for survival—and that, my fellow warriors, is all about the swine!

A new idea—your creation—needs protection, nurturing, sustenance, protection, care, support, and love. These are the pearls. When someone presents you with their creation, are you like the swine, by your nature trampling it and destroying it without even knowing what it is or what it can be?

Jesus’ admonition cuts both ways. He wants you to be careful with your creations, and he wants you to be sensitive to the creations of others. When the time is right, and the creation can be properly scrutinized or peer reviewed, it will be well enough developed to stand private abuse from your peers. This does not mean that the true warrior is never critical, nor practices discernment. No. It means that true warriors must be skilled and artful, and that they should manifest their talents according to God’s plan and with effective guidance. It means that the true warrior will be sensitive, yet strong, and having donned their spiritual armour (through faith and belief in a higher power), the true warrior shall spread the good news successfully, and the impact will be broad and all encompassing.

Watch the strength of vegetation as it destroy roads, walkways, and all the other works of man. That is a daily demonstration of the power of growth—from the seed of an idea—and is an amazing example of the power of the warrior and the power of the word.

You are warriors, and so as you create, you shall grow. As you encourage, you shall become stronger. As you persevere, you shall overcome and succeed. It has begun! So it has been written.