I heard a powerful quote this week on one of my favorite podcasts, "You can be a warrior or you can be a worrier but you can't be both."

When I heard those words on Beth Moore's podcast, Living Proof with Beth, I was immediately struck by the truth they held.

After I pondered her wisdom for a minute or two, I then heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, "Which are you, Carol? A warrior or a worrier?"

Unfortunately, sometimes during the stormy seasons of my life, I have endeavored to have a foot in each camp of fierce warfare and of deceptive worry.

A warrior is characterized by an unremitting desire for victory; a worrier only sees the surety of defeat. A warrior is determined to fight with a victorious strategy, while a worrier is solely thinking about what could go wrong. A warrior continues to march forward even when the flaming darts are flying; a worrier crawls into a fetal position and is paralyzed by circumstances. A warrior submits his or her life to the strategy of those in authority while a worrier wishes to control the outcome by manipulation.

I am a warrior—are you? I don't have time to worry about outcomes, defeats or even disappointments. I am intent on winning every battle that I face and to glorify my leader who has never lost a battle yet. If I waste valuable hours and emotional strength by giving of myself to worry, I will never become the woman Christ has called me to be. I must keep my eyes focused on the victory of Christ and I must throw off the lies of the enemy especially when I am in the heat of the battle.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14, NASB).

There are so many issues in life that I am unable to control. I can't control the weather, the stock market or the media. I can't control the choices of my adult children, the sermons my pastor preaches or how other people treat me. What I can control is how I respond to the challenges of life. I have determined not to allow worry to steal one more day of my existence but to join with Christ in the glory of winning every battle in which I am engaged.

Worry only sets a man or a woman on a pathway to guaranteed defeat. Worry is not a strategy for victory but it is a major component of failure.

One of the most powerful battle strategies that a believer in Christ can engage with is the decision to find a fighting Scripture and then stand upon it. A fighting Scripture will eliminate worry and fear from your life because you will be so focused on the eternal truth of Scripture that the lies of the enemy will seem inconsequential. When you choose your fighting Scripture, it is vital to begin to declare it out loud daily or even hourly. Share this Scripture with your friends and family members; commit your fighting verse to memory.

I have determined to fight with the Word of God and not with my emotions. I have decided to worship even in the heat of the flames of crisis. I have resolved to pray until the mountains move and the storm ceases. I will be an uncommon representation of the strength and courage of the one who created me.

I am a warrior!

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical, biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written 11 books, including Significant, StormProof and Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.