Proverbs often carry wisdom passed through generations, and this one is no different: “If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside cannot get in.” On the surface, it tells us that enemies exploit our weaknesses. They know what but- tons to push, using our fears and insecurities against us. But Lucille “Big Mama” Allen taught us to dig deeper. Our enemies, she said, are not the ones who exploit our weaknesses; they are the fears and insecurities we al- low to fester within us. Those external forces are merely opportunists capitalizing on what we haven’t conquered inside ourselves.
Lesson One: The True Enemy Lies Within
I remember when a colleague who had once leaned on my expertise began flipping every move or activity, I made into something negative. After years of using my ideas and facilitation skills to win over clients, they’d become my harshest critic. The verbal jabs, ostracism, and undermining felt personal—until I realized the battle wasn’t about me. It was their insecurities lashing out, a fear that their new authority couldn’t stand on its own. Big Mama’s wisdom rang true: the real struggle wasn’t with them, but with how I allowed their actions to challenge my confidence. Once I embraced that understanding, their power to disrupt me diminished.
Lesson Two: – Easing God Out
Big Mama warned that our biggest enemy often masquerades as pride—the ego (E.G.O. – Easing God Out) Fear and insecurity feed that ego, whispering lies that convince us we must prove ourselves, fight back, or retreat in shame. I have seen this in work teams that are steeped in negativity vs. celebration. But these are just states of mind we haven’t learned to control. When we let them reign, we edge God’s guidance out, losing sight of our purpose.
Lesson Three: Control Brings Confidence
Big Mama’s words were a call to action. She urged us to embark on an exercise of self-control over our darker elements. Recognizing and addressing our fears and insecurities doesn’t weaken us; it strengthens us. The Biggest lesson was “my reaction to you has more to do with how I feel than what you said to me!” Through this process, we rise up, more confident and capable because we understand ourselves.
As Big Mama of- ten said, “We are created to serve God by loving and serving one another.”
So today, let’s honor Big Mama’s wisdom. Let us identify the true enemy within and take away its power. When we do, no external force can shake us. And that, she’d say, is the gift we give ourselves—and the world.
Terry Allen is an NABJ award- winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
