for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers.
-Proverbs 24:6

I heard somewhere that none of us is as smart as all of us. Generally speaking, I feel this to be true. Yet, the idea of seeking guidance and help in our endeavors sometimes goes against our flesh. It is one thing to say to our friends that the counsel of many is a good thing, and another thing to actually seek it ourselves. If I asked all the lone wolves to raise their hands, would you be among them? Do you have a child, friend or a parent that excessively goes at it alone?

True, some people just seem to navigate the waters of life better if they are the only ones with any real input on how the course is plotted. But, then again, once they arrive at their destination, they may likely find themselves in the same situation as when they started: alone.

As I continue to look at spiritual warfare, I found it of particular interest that the Bible gives proverbial precedent to the idea that wars are best waged by those who can recognize the value of external guidance and advice. This does not mean that we blindly jump on every advisory bandwagon that comes our way. But it does mean that we position ourselves among those who strengthen and encourage us in our daily battles.

Nowhere is this more true than when in the midst of a spiritual struggle. Quiet isolation is the goal of the enemy. It presents an ideal situation for his assault. Quarry that is separated from its kind is a much easier acquisition.

I can clearly remember one particular night when I was yet a teenager. I was heading to an all-night coffee session with a friend. As we walked, I noticed three older boys on the other side of the street staring at us. Their ill intent was plainly visible. There would be no avoiding conflict. We attempted to pass anyway, unchallenged.

We managed to go a few more steps before one of the boys, a tall one, began to trot toward us across the street. He yelled out in a non-threatening tone "Hey man...can you do me a favor?" Relieved, I replied "Sure." The last thing I remember was seeing the glint of the streetlight reflecting off of the metal clip on his ski glove.

When I came to, I was sprawled out on the remains of what used to be someone's fence in their front yard. It had broken my fall and suffered more than a little damage. As my awareness and my vision returned, I saw something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Standing above me, was my friend. He placed himself between me and my attackers, which were now all three. He was brandishing a screwdriver he had been carrying and fiercely holding them off. Based on the situation and the specific group that the assailants came from, it is safe to assume that, had my friend not been there, I would likely have been the recipient of a much worse beating.

Regardless of our individual strengths, experiences or victories, we are all capable of giving ground to the enemy. Sometimes, even when our initial instincts tell us something is wrong, we let our guard down.

We are best equipped through the corporate strength of our faith communities. It is how God made us to be; dependant on him, yes, but also finding potency and purpose in the company of eachother.

Whatever the situation may be, I want to encourage you to seek out other believers for strength and encouragement in the fight. It makes it difficult for our brothers and sisters to bear our burdens if they do not know about them. Let us stop excluding ourselves from the blessings that we would freely offer others. We, too, need help at times. Its okay.

The next time a believer asks us how we are doing, perhaps we could just tell them the truth. You never know, they may know exactly what we are going through. Maybe they need your advice too.