I love the story of David and Goliath. It reminds us of the power that comes from facing our most insurmountable fears with confidence. As written in the scripture above, David's confidence did not come from arrogance or pride. He found confidence in God, who previously gave him victory in two dire situations. This is what makes David's victory over Goliath so powerful. He looked at Goliath and did not see a Philistine champion who's size and stature could not be compared. He did not see the bronze javelin slung across Goliath's back (I Samuel 17:4-5). David set his mind on the two victories he had prior to facing Goliath. He knew that if God helped him before, God would do it again. The victories in David's past paved the way for victory over one of the greatest challenges in his life.
We all have fears and challenges. Within that group of fears is one challenge that surpasses them all - our greatest most detestable fear. If we have taken the time to evaluate ourselves, we should be able to name it. For the people of Israel at that time, their detestable fear was Goliath. Like Goliath our fears seem insurmountable, strong, and immaculately adorned with shame, defeat, hopelessness, and rejection. Mostly, our deepest fear talks a good game like Goliath once did. I Samuel 17: 42-44, reads, "He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, 'Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 'Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! '" If we allow it, fear speaks so poignantly to us. It tries to tell us that we are not good enough or strong enough. Fear tries to emphatically remind us that when we face it, the repercussions will be unbearable. Who would have thought that gigantic Goliath would be killed by a young man and his sling shot? Our fears are the same. Their bark is far worse than their bite. It is not hopeless, with God all things are possible.
God has been so good to me. There have been so many moments where I was not sure if things were going to work out and then through prayer, God made a way. It is so interesting how in the midst of intense struggle or fear I have forgotten to remember all the battles that God won for me before. We all know the saying, "out of sight out of mind." The work of God in our lives should never be to far from our mind. Now, I work hard to compartmentalize all the things that God has done for me and my husband. When we are faced with difficult situations, I can pull on my personal knowledge of God's goodness and grace to fuel my resolve to never give up or back down.
I am a proponent of letting old things pass away and learning not to live in the past in order to embrace the future. However, when it comes to past victories it is important that we cherish and remember them. It is our faith in what God has done that will lead us to believe in what He can and will continue to do. In Romans 10:17 it reads, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We must take time to recall all the good things God has done for us in an effort to build our faith when we are faced with new or larger fears and challenges.
I encourage you to sit and make a list of your past and current victories. If you don't know where to start begin with simply listing the victory of getting out of bed this morning. Don't skip out on anything. Nothing is too small or too large to write down. Give God and yourself the satisfaction of knowing that you can conquer anything. By doing this exercise you simultaneously begin to build your faith. Soon you will be able to laugh in the face of your Goliath.
Facing your fear is an effort that can only be done your way. Do not take up the expectations and projections of other people who seek to tell you the way they think your victory should look like. Before facing Goliath, Saul tried to put his armor on David. Even though Saul did not mean any harm, his armor did not fit the plan that God had for David's life. David could not function properly with it on. In wisdom, David took it off. I Samuel 17:38-40 reads, "Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. 'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
You cannot live your life for other people. Nor is it wise to live in the shadow of someone else. God is calling you to appear on the grand stage in your clothes and with your sling shot. Do not attempt to add something to your life just because it seems like the "proper" thing to do. God will meet you where you're at. Remember, it is your heart that God responds to. Yield yourself to be used by God where you can. Give 100% of yourself and God will win the battle on your behalf. David did not use a big spear or bow and arrow. He used stones. He knew that since he was going to face this challenge, he was going to do it using resources that suited him. I believe David would have been killed that day if he tried to use Saul's armor and sword. David did not have to resembled the typical warrior of the time and neither do you. Just be yourself.
What is your weapon of choice? There are three strong weapons that we have when facing our enemy. We can pray, worship, and use the word of God (Bible). You can't go empty handed. All of these require a renewal of your mind. Think positively and remember where God brought your from and who you belong to. If you can't remember, God will remind you about who He is in your life. Isaiah 43:1-2 reads, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Just like David, you are more than equipped to get the job done. I am learning to walk in confidence all the time. We should not get distracted by what we see with our physical eye. God is working all things out on our behalf and has an amazing future in store for us. Determine that you will defeat fear and cut off its head for the whole world to see.
If you are currently facing a lion or a bear today be encouraged. Your defeat of smaller fears and challenges will secure your victory over the larger ones. You will be victorious if you only believe. Claim your victory today.
We all have fears and challenges. Within that group of fears is one challenge that surpasses them all - our greatest most detestable fear. If we have taken the time to evaluate ourselves, we should be able to name it. For the people of Israel at that time, their detestable fear was Goliath. Like Goliath our fears seem insurmountable, strong, and immaculately adorned with shame, defeat, hopelessness, and rejection. Mostly, our deepest fear talks a good game like Goliath once did. I Samuel 17: 42-44, reads, "He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, 'Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 'Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! '" If we allow it, fear speaks so poignantly to us. It tries to tell us that we are not good enough or strong enough. Fear tries to emphatically remind us that when we face it, the repercussions will be unbearable. Who would have thought that gigantic Goliath would be killed by a young man and his sling shot? Our fears are the same. Their bark is far worse than their bite. It is not hopeless, with God all things are possible.
God has been so good to me. There have been so many moments where I was not sure if things were going to work out and then through prayer, God made a way. It is so interesting how in the midst of intense struggle or fear I have forgotten to remember all the battles that God won for me before. We all know the saying, "out of sight out of mind." The work of God in our lives should never be to far from our mind. Now, I work hard to compartmentalize all the things that God has done for me and my husband. When we are faced with difficult situations, I can pull on my personal knowledge of God's goodness and grace to fuel my resolve to never give up or back down.
I am a proponent of letting old things pass away and learning not to live in the past in order to embrace the future. However, when it comes to past victories it is important that we cherish and remember them. It is our faith in what God has done that will lead us to believe in what He can and will continue to do. In Romans 10:17 it reads, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We must take time to recall all the good things God has done for us in an effort to build our faith when we are faced with new or larger fears and challenges.
I encourage you to sit and make a list of your past and current victories. If you don't know where to start begin with simply listing the victory of getting out of bed this morning. Don't skip out on anything. Nothing is too small or too large to write down. Give God and yourself the satisfaction of knowing that you can conquer anything. By doing this exercise you simultaneously begin to build your faith. Soon you will be able to laugh in the face of your Goliath.
Facing your fear is an effort that can only be done your way. Do not take up the expectations and projections of other people who seek to tell you the way they think your victory should look like. Before facing Goliath, Saul tried to put his armor on David. Even though Saul did not mean any harm, his armor did not fit the plan that God had for David's life. David could not function properly with it on. In wisdom, David took it off. I Samuel 17:38-40 reads, "Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. 'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
You cannot live your life for other people. Nor is it wise to live in the shadow of someone else. God is calling you to appear on the grand stage in your clothes and with your sling shot. Do not attempt to add something to your life just because it seems like the "proper" thing to do. God will meet you where you're at. Remember, it is your heart that God responds to. Yield yourself to be used by God where you can. Give 100% of yourself and God will win the battle on your behalf. David did not use a big spear or bow and arrow. He used stones. He knew that since he was going to face this challenge, he was going to do it using resources that suited him. I believe David would have been killed that day if he tried to use Saul's armor and sword. David did not have to resembled the typical warrior of the time and neither do you. Just be yourself.
What is your weapon of choice? There are three strong weapons that we have when facing our enemy. We can pray, worship, and use the word of God (Bible). You can't go empty handed. All of these require a renewal of your mind. Think positively and remember where God brought your from and who you belong to. If you can't remember, God will remind you about who He is in your life. Isaiah 43:1-2 reads, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Just like David, you are more than equipped to get the job done. I am learning to walk in confidence all the time. We should not get distracted by what we see with our physical eye. God is working all things out on our behalf and has an amazing future in store for us. Determine that you will defeat fear and cut off its head for the whole world to see.
If you are currently facing a lion or a bear today be encouraged. Your defeat of smaller fears and challenges will secure your victory over the larger ones. You will be victorious if you only believe. Claim your victory today.
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