How healthy is your foxhole?

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  -James 5:16

Confess... pray... be healed. Seems like a simple formula, but we still struggle with it. As you know, simple does not equal easy. Fear holds us back. Fear of being judged, fear that what I reveal may be used against me, fear of admitting I have problems. And yet, when I call out the enemy and overcome my fear, the formula works.

The Spirit has been reminding me of some things in recent weeks. We were made for impact. We were made to make a difference in our world - a positive difference of truth and hope. We were made to protect and steward the things that God has entrusted to our care. It's a big job, but we don't enter the battle unequipped. He provides battle gear and he provides brothers to come alongside.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  -Ephesians 6:12

That's the story I heard from Stan this week. If you haven't heard it yet, you can find it here: https://www.convoynwa.org/audio/. In three very specific instances, Stan found courage to confess shortcomings and need. In each case, his foxhole brothers offered the needed aid, whether it was understanding, affirmation, godly counsel, or prayer coverage. And it made a tangible difference in Stan's perspective, his attitude, his relationships, and ultimately, his walk with Christ.

That's the "secret sauce" of Convoy. It isn't about getting together periodically to lick our wounds and commiserate about how hard life is and how inept we are at executing it. The purpose of foxholes is to build each other up to go back out and not just survive, but to win. Check the scriptures - there's only one guy in there who was perfect. We all got "stuff". Admit yours, work through it with brothers who care, then go out and fight the fight God created you for.

My challenge for you this week is to assess the health of your foxhole. Do you have a band of brothers you can trust? Have you been fully transparent with them about your struggles? Do you know their stories and step into their hurts? If not, what's holding you back? It's time to stop believing the lie of the enemy that says I'm a pansy if I need an understanding ear and a wise word occasionally. Don't settle for less than God's best.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  -Matthew 5:8