2 Kings 11:11a

"The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king..."
"WITH WEAPON IN HAND!"
Are you guarding your heart?
Are you guarding your family?
Are your guarding your pastor?
Here in this text, these guards were trained soldiers.
They were skilled in the Art of Warfare.
Therefore, they could successfully defend the king, because they were able to properly handle their weapons.
When confronted with a trial, how do you seek resolve?
When situations occur in your family, how do you respond?
Do you pray for your pastor or talk about them?
The point is:
Without skilled training in warfare,
Warfare simply becomes "NO FAIR!"
2 Corinthians 10:4 says,
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds..."
SATAN WANTS TO KEEP YOU IN THE DARK!
If he can keep you battling to resolve your issues with the carnal mind, HE HAS ALREADY WON THAT ROUND!
BUT IT'S NOT OVER YET!
If you allow God to properly train you through His Word concerning your circumstances, YOU WILL GAIN THE UPPERHAND IN THIS BATTLE CALLED LIFE!
"Don't ever let your past hold your back!"
"Because your future is pulling you forward!"
Lastly, the guards stationed themselves around the king!
"WHEREVER YOU PLACE VALUE, PLACEMENT IS MADE FOR YOU!"
"PLACE JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE!"