5 Ways to Find Courage to Deal with Giant-Sized Problems

1 Samuel 17:32
"Don't worry about this Philistine," David told Saul.  "I'll go fight him."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied.  "There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win!  You're only a boy, and he's been man of war since his youth."

How in the world did David find the courage to fight a giant? 

We know the end of the story: without fear, David defeats the giant with a sling and a few stones. Everyone else cowered in fear.

Last week, I wrote about how David's perspective differed from the other soldiers.  No doubt, perspective was a key component to slaying Goliath.  If you missed it, read it here.

So back to my original question:  How did David find the courage to fight a tormenting, taunting giant? 



I'm convinced David's courage came from remembering how God had helped him in the past.

David was a shepherd boy who took care of his father's sheep and goats.  When a BEAR or LION tried to steal them, David went after the lion and the bear!   (Can you imagine?  I think I would have cut my losses.)

But not David.  David went after these ferocious animals with such a fearless vengeance, knowing God would be faithful, yet again, to deliver him from the claws of the bear... and the lion.  (See 1 Sam. 17:34-37)   David KNEW if God had helped him in those situations, CERTAINLY He would be faithful when faced with the mere hands of a pagan Philistine.

The same is true with us when faced with our giant-sized problems... WE MUST REMEMBER what God has done for us and how He has helped us in the past.

Personally, when I think back over the past year... even the last six months, I'm in awe at the giant-sized problems God has walked me through. There were days, weeks, and months that were really, hard.  But in every circumstance, God took me by the hand, directed me with His Word and walked me safely through to the other side.

As I face my current giant-sized problem, why would I fear?  Why should you fear?    As you think about the giants you are currently facing:

1. Remember  all God has walked you through or what He has done in answer to prayer.  It could have been 20 years ago, 2 years ago or just 20 days ago...
2. Thank Him again for His intervention during those difficult seasons.
3. Trust Him  and begin thanking Him for His intervention now.
4. Cooperate with  Him to guide you through.  (See Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 32:8-9)
5. Allow Him to use the current giant to strengthen your faith walk, drawing you ever closer to Jesus.

I love what our May luncheon speaker, Kim Powell, said about the giants or hard things that come into her life.


She aggressively speaks out loud to her giant, "I'm gonna strap a harness on you and make you draw me closer to Jesus.  I'm not afraid of you."

I love it!

She can aggressively approach her giants because she, like David,  REMEMBERS all God has done for her in the past and with bone-deep resolve trusts Him to deal with this next giant, drawing her ever closer to Jesus.

As we apply the principles found in God's Word, we too can count on God to do the same for us when faced with giant-sized problems.

Facing the Giants that Overwhelm You

1 Samuel 17:25, 26
"...have you seen the giant?" the men asked. 
David asked the soldiers standing nearby... "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?"

In my quiet time, I recently came to the account of David and Goliath.   The timing is perfect.  God is teaching me afresh how to face the "giants" that threaten to send me into a state of overwhelmed paralysis.

Giants or impossible situations will often seek to:

• intimidate us  
• torment us or
• scare us into a paralysis of fearful non-movement - much like Goliath did to Israel's army.  

The giant's we face can often be so overwhelming, we do nothing.  However, David's perspective has challenged the way I'm approaching the giants in my life.
  
In reading 1 Samuel 17, the men from Israel's army describe Goliath as a giant.   But all David saw was a pagan Philistine defying the armies of the living God.  It's as if David and  men saw two totally different things.  While the men saw a giant, David saw a mortal man defying his big, awesome God.

What a difference the right perspective makes when we see how big God is.  In this season of life, what giants are trying to intimidate you into paralysis?

• Inability to pay the bills giant?
• Health issue giant?
• Impossible marriage giant?
• Inability to have a baby giant?
• Prodigal child giant?
• Forgiveness of what may seem unforgivable giant?
• Work issue deadlines that loom like a giant?

David has inspired me to approach my impossible or giant-sized problems with a different mindset. I've intentionally begun to study (yet again), how BIG God is.   When we study and meditate on how big God is, our giants will loose their power over our emotions and thinking. 

Just as David was a child of God, when we are child of God, we have:

• The Maker, Creator of the Universe on our side - (Romans 8:28)
• The Source of wisdom ready to help us.   (James 1:5 and 1 Cor 1:30)
• The Director ready to guide -  if we'll listen.  (Psalm 32;8)
• The God Who says, "Do not be afraid" comforting us.   (2 Timothy 1:7)
• The God Who says, "I will supply all your needs," encouraging us.  (Phil 4:19)
• The God Who says, "I will give you rest," recharging us.  (Matt. 11:28-30)
• The God Who says, "All things are possible with Me," filling us with faith.  (Luke 18:27)

 So whatever giant you may be facing...  Don't tell God how big your giant is... Tell your giant how BIG your God is.

Yes, say it out loud when fear tries to paralyze you; pray it; believe it and trust God to act on your behalf when facing your giants.

Next Post:  Finding the courage to act on what we believe -

Does America want God's Blessing?

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

In 1776 at our nation's founding, I believe we were a nation whose God was the Lord.  Look no further than the history books, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.  In fact, the basic premise of many of our laws were founded upon the principles of Christianity.

For example:

The inscription on the top of the Liberty Bell is a Bible verse: Leviticus 25:10 which says, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”  (I just love that!)



The final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”



However in 2015, I'm not sure we can say that as a nation, our God is the Lord.  Therefore, I sadly do not think the promise of blessing applies to us anymore.

With increasing measure, (seemingly getting worse and worse) God and prayer is pushed:

• out of town meetings; 
• out of schools; 
• out of the public forum and certainly 
• out of politics all in the name of tolerance and political correctness.

Yet we want the blessings of God, whoever "God" may be to you.

But let's face it, in politics, media and pop culture as a whole, God's name is politically incorrect. (Unless of course, you're using it in vain.  Then it's okay.)

And the Bible?  You're looked upon as a kook if you take it seriously.  (Trust me, I know this upfront and personal:)

And the name, Jesus?  The Name given to men by which they must be saved...(Acts 4:12)  The Name that is the only way to the Father... (John 14:6).   Mention His name and watch how quickly the "you offended me" police will attempt to shame you into silence.

What about our moral compass?  The theme of this generation is "to live as we see fit."  (Judges 21:25)  And to say any behavior is wrong, we are quickly labeled intolerant and judgmental.

What about our friendship with Israel?  The Bible is clear, those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed.  (Genesis 12:3)  Our friendship with Israel is at an all time low since it's re-founding in 1948. (Very sad to me.  I personally think Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister is one of the most courageous men on the planet considering what his job requires each day.)

Following the 9/11 attacks, I heard Anne Lotz in an interview on CBS This Morning say,  "God is a Gentleman.  He never insists on being where He's not wanted.  However at the same time, He also removes His hand of protection and blessing."  (paraphrase)

Does America really want God's blessing?  The Bible is clear, blessings from the Creator will come when we make Him and only Him, our God.

Be the agent of change in your corner of the world.  

It starts with one... in your family, in your circle of friends, in your workplace; in your neighborhood, in your community.

May your faith walk multiply, so that one day our nation's God will again be the Lord God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it.