When I studied Air War College as a senior Air Force officer, one topic was Principles of War, including the writings of Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz.
Now today’s post isn’t about actual armed conflict, but let’s start by acknowledging our respect and appreciation for our Armed Forces who are directly in harm’s way and pray for their safety and their families!
I’ll share more about a very real “enemy” we all face in a few moments. But even without acknowledging him, doesn’t it seem like there’s “something” standing against us?
Here are some “principles of war” that seem to be arrayed against us, our marriages, families, jobs or businesses; and everything else important to us. I’ve also suggested a few examples. Can you add some more?
- Principle of War: Divide and Conquer
- Cause marriages, teams, churches, political organizations, etc. to “major on the minors” so they don’t see and respond to real, significant problems until it’s too late. If at all!
- Blame people instead of processes. Especially, don’t blame a person when the fault is poor instruction, unstated or bad policies, not providing adequate support, or similar forms of miscommunication.
- Being inflexible toward meaningful, necessary change or being insensitive to the culture of an organization or group and pushing through unnecessary changes. I’ve seen both; I’m sure you have, too.
- Principle of War: Separate from Source of Supply
- On a personal level: Lack of adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, “down time,” and especially a close relationship with the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 17).
- Separation from the purpose: As Michael Hyatt would say, forgetting your “why.” We can lose the vision for why we married, the goals of our organization, why we’re fighting for liberty, etc.
- Speaking of liberty, the “why” for the U.S. is our Declaration of Independence, followed by our Constitution and Amendments. If we don’t understand these, we allow others to say what is and isn’t “Constitutional” and don’t hold them accountable when they’re wrong!
- Principle of War: Reserves
- Militarily, we need “fresh troops” who can come in and temporarily relieve over-tasked personnel in combat; or who can join the conflict at a critical time.
- On a personal level, “Reserves” could be friends or family who help during times of sickness or personal crisis. Or to keep the kids so you and your spouse can “re-connect.
- On the job, is there adequate depth? Is there back-up to help during vacations, illnesses, or production surges? Some companies over-hire but then must cut back during lean times. Others use temp services to bring in help as needed. Still others have part-time people, especially retired former employees, who can come in on a short-term basis as needed.
We’ll leave other principles for another day, such as deception, force concentration, and surprise. What others would you add?
If these “Principles of War” come against us so successfully, what are some good counter-strategies?
Here are some “Principles of Life”:
- Awareness! Many “principles of war” are neutralized by an eye-in-the-sky at 40,000 feet, reporting troop movements, weapons, numerical strength, and such. Similarly, knowing what’s going on is crucial to “winning” in our daily battles.
- Once you know what the attack is, you can choose better strategies. Examples:
- Choose long-term fulfillment over short-term happiness (it’s called “self-discipline”)
- Re-balance time with spouse and family versus work and other activities
- Give the highest priority to what really matters!
- Take care of yourself. You can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself. Remember to encourage and help your spouse to do the same!
- Others?
Biblical applications:
Do those tactics sound familiar? There is an enemy. We are at war. We’re told that Satan is out to steal, and kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He will divide couples, families, churches, and ministries. He does all he can to separate us from our “sources of supply.”
Don’t neglect Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. And he certainly excels in distracting us from the foundations of Christian faith, while we worry over non-essentials. Not a Christian? Or not sure? See my short video, “Gotta Minute? Believe.”
And Reserves? Seek help and how you can help others. Far too few are doing too much with too little support.
May we all learn and apply the Principles of Life!