wimp – (noun) a weak and cowardly or unadventurous person


No one wants to be called a wimp. However, some people do succumb to the name when faced with a phobia or a life-threatening thrill. On the other hand, I’ve met those people who love a good thrill. We often refer to them as “adrenaline junkies.” They love to sky-dive or bungee jump. Maybe they like fast cars or mountain climbing or repelling. They rise to the challenge whenever they are challenged. Just the mention of wimpdom sends them on the offensive, and they jump to conquer any dare.

Renee Swope mentions in her book A Confident Heart about moving from wimp to warrior in our Christian walk. Obviously, that sounds powerful and noble, but what does that mean.  I was glad when she challenged us to not only call out the wimpy things in our faith but to voice what it would mean to be a warrior in that same area of our lives.

For example, let’s say you are a wimp in the area of finances.  You have trouble not only paying your tithes faithfully, but you never give an offering above and beyond that tithe amount.  Now, picture yourself as a warrior in this area.  What would being a financial warrior look like?  Give specifics.  Maybe it would be paying tithes faithfully for the next four months and then adding on an offering the next 4 months. Finally, you could continue to make additions until you were a true warrior in this spiritual discipline.

Romans 8:37 reminds us that we “are more than conquerors through Him who loves” us. Now, I’m not saying you should approach this warrior status without consulting God.  We might need a little guidance in the area of what it really looks like to be a warrior in a specific area of our faith. Pray first. Ask God to reveal the area of wimpiness, ask for forgiveness, and then request direction on how to become a warrior.

Don’t just wait and listen, write it down!  Make a plan to take steps towards warrior-hood. Then maybe share your plan with a friend and ask them to keep you accountable. Then as Nike encourages, “JUST DO IT!”

This is my plan for an area in which I want to become a warrior. I took it straight from a personal journal entry.

God, I want to be a warrior in my writing!  I don’t want to work hard for a month or two and then wimp out.  Using the gift you’ve given me is my spiritual act of worship.  Wimping out is a struggle for me in this area.  To be more than a conqueror as a writer, I will write something everyday. I will submit my work to magazines and publishing companies at least once a month. I will study and grow in my ability on a daily basis. Thank you for just as it says in Psalms 18:35 “your help has made me great!”

Have I stuck with it?  Yep, sure have.  I’m feeling more like a warrior and less like a wimp in this area of my faith walk.  There are others I’m working on too.

Okay, your turn.  Describe an area of your life, or your relationship with God, or your role/job, where you feel like  a wimp.  What would it mean to look like a warrior in that area?  Pray, write it out, and then make a plan to become more than a conqueror. Share it here if you can!