Warrior – a person engaged or experienced in warfare
Coward – one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity
At first glance, a coward and warrior look very much the same. I’ve met, spent time with and struggled with men who I thought were warriors but ended up being cowards. They walk the same and talk the same, but one struggles with the walk and talk while the other does it naturally. A person’s character will reveal the warrior or coward heart as well. You don’t necessarily have to be engaged in a fight to determine which one a person is. I know many men and women who are warriors and have never employed themselves in a career commonly thought of as a warrior’s profession.
A major problem with modern society is that, in general, the warrior is put on the shelf, in a cage, out in the back forty or forced into the shadows of the public. The coward prances around and gallivants about. Society sees the coward as face value, not ever learning the coward’s heart. People like what they see and celebrate it. It’s not until a disaster or major distress that the coward is quickly ignored while those in need search for the warrior for assistance and guidance. The warrior, never backing down to a challenge, knocks the dust off their old boots and reports for duty.
You see, the major difference in the two is not the Merriam-Webster definition. It’s the habits and actions of the two that differentiate them. A warrior fears for the welfare of others yet has little fear for himself. A coward fears for their personal welfare yet fears little for others. A coward has no problem self-promoting and stepping on the heads of others to get ahead. The warrior is an encourager and lifts others up. He lets others step on his own head, if need be, for assistance. A warrior demands little in the way of personal comfort where a coward demands much of their own personal comfort. A warrior rolls with the punches that are thrown at him and the coward flinches and gets knocked down; then cries for the assistance of other to pick him up.
A warrior gives grace, has patience to wait, practices understanding to better strategize against a potential adversary or harsh situation and has a heart for those who are oppressed. The coward oppresses others, does not give grace, does not have patience and lacks understanding and is unwilling to try. A warrior takes a keen interest in their own physical well-being knowing that they may be called upon at any time to do what the coward fears. The coward places less emphasis on their physical well-being or, if they do, it’s for vanity’s sake and not for useful purposes. A warrior is that perfect mixture of steel and velvet.
If you’re unsure which one you are, you are a coward, because a warrior knows himself. A warrior never stops learning and never stops honing his skills. Not only becoming a jack of all trades but actually mastering many. A coward depends on others to get stuff done because their skillset is minimal and they lack the desire for practical knowledge on a broad spectrum of tradecraft. Can a coward become a warrior? Yes, but a warrior will always be a warrior. A coward must surround himself with the company of warriors and be exposed to and overcome certain hardships. A series or retraining the mind is necessary. Gains and losses must be experienced. Those gains can be accomplished by seeking new possibilities, having deeper relationships, increasing personal strength (mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically), practicing an appreciation for life and seeking spiritual change. Only walking down that path can someone truly grow and separate themselves from the tribe of the coward. Getting uncomfortable and overcoming obstacles promotes growth and strength.
If you have determined that you are a coward, I encourage you to seek change. Our world needs more warriors. Warriors don’t only wear uniforms, wield swords and conquer evil through physical confrontation. Jesus was a warrior and did none of those. Look deep inside yourself for that realization. Choose to make change if necessary. Our world, our society and your family depend on it.
BCH
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