Facing Your Giants

1. Face Your Giants: Focus on God, Not Your Problems

Focus on giants—you stumble. Focus on God—your giants tumble.

Shift your perspective. When confronted with overwhelming challenges, it's easy to fixate on the problem. However, David's encounter with Goliath teaches us the power of focusing on God instead. By redirecting our attention to God's strength and faithfulness, we gain the courage and confidence needed to face our own giants.

Remember past victories. David drew strength from his previous experiences of God's deliverance. Similarly, we should catalog our own "lion and bear" moments - times when God has helped us overcome obstacles. This practice builds faith and resilience for future challenges.

• Identify your personal "Goliaths"
• Recall instances of God's faithfulness in your life
• Actively shift your focus from problems to God's power

2. Find Strength in God's Presence and His People

"You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have."

Seek refuge in God. When faced with isolation or rejection, make God your primary source of comfort and strength. David found solace in God's presence during his most desperate moments, such as hiding in caves from Saul. This intimate connection with God can sustain us through our darkest times.

Embrace community. While God should be our ultimate refuge, He often works through His people to provide support and encouragement. David gathered a group of outcasts and misfits who became his loyal followers. Similarly, we should actively seek out and contribute to a community of believers who can offer mutual support and accountability.

• Develop a consistent prayer and worship practice
• Identify and connect with a supportive faith community
• Be willing to both receive and offer help within that community

3. Respond to Enemies with Grace and Forgiveness

When you love the unloving, you get a glimpse of what God does for you.

Choose grace over vengeance. David's treatment of Saul, despite Saul's relentless persecution, demonstrates the power of extending grace to our enemies. By refusing to take revenge when given the opportunity, David honored God and maintained his own integrity.

See enemies through God's eyes. Rather than viewing opponents as irredeemable foes, consider them as people God is still working on. This perspective can help soften our hearts and open the door to reconciliation. Remember that God's grace extends to all, including those who have wronged us.

• Practice responding to offenses with kindness rather than retaliation
• Pray for those who mistreat you
• Set healthy boundaries while still maintaining a forgiving attitude

4. Navigate Desperate Times with Faith and Integrity

David stumbles in this story. Desperate souls always do. But at least he stumbles into the right place—into God's sanctuary, where God meets and ministers to hopeless hearts.

Maintain integrity under pressure. When faced with desperate circumstances, it's tempting to compromise our values. David's lies to the priest at Nob show the danger of this approach. Instead, we should strive to maintain our integrity even in the most challenging situations.

Turn to God in desperation. Despite his missteps, David ultimately sought refuge in God's presence. When we find ourselves in desperate straits, our first instinct should be to turn to God for guidance and strength. The church, as God's sanctuary, can play a crucial role in providing both spiritual nourishment and practical support during these times.

• Identify your core values and commit to upholding them
• Develop a habit of seeking God first in times of crisis
• Actively engage with a faith community that can support you

5. Persevere Through Spiritual Dry Seasons

Wilderness begins with disconnections. It continues with deceit.

Recognize the danger of spiritual isolation. Dry seasons often start when we become disconnected from God and His people. This isolation can lead to compromised judgment and poor decisions, as seen in David's actions with the Philistines.

Maintain spiritual disciplines. Even in times of spiritual dryness, it's crucial to continue practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and worship. These practices can help us stay grounded and eventually lead us out of the wilderness.

• Identify signs of spiritual disconnection in your life
• Commit to regular spiritual practices, even when you don't feel like it
• Seek accountability from trusted friends or mentors

6. Confront Grief and Loss with Hope

God knows the sorrow of a grave. He buried his son. But he also knows the joy of resurrection. And, by his power, you will too.

Acknowledge and express grief. David's lament over Saul and Jonathan demonstrates the importance of facing our grief head-on. Allow yourself to mourn losses fully, recognizing that this is a natural and necessary part of the healing process.

Hold onto hope. While grief is real and painful, as believers, we have a unique source of hope in the resurrection. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He promises new life and ultimate restoration for all who trust in Him.

• Give yourself permission to grieve openly
• Share your pain with trusted friends and family
• Meditate on Scriptures that speak of God's comfort and the hope of resurrection

7. Seek God's Will Through Prayer and Wise Counsel

God will not lead you to violate his Word. He will not contradict his teaching.

Prioritize prayer in decision-making. David consistently sought God's guidance before major decisions. We should follow this example, making prayer our first resort rather than a last resort when facing important choices.

Consult Scripture and wise advisors. While personal prayer is crucial, God often speaks through His Word and through the counsel of godly individuals. Seek out mature believers who can offer wisdom and perspective on your situation.

• Develop a habit of bringing decisions to God in prayer
• Regularly study and meditate on Scripture
• Build relationships with wise, godly mentors

8. Overcome Personal Strongholds with God's Power

God's mighty weapons . . . knock down the Devil's strongholds.

Identify your strongholds. Recognize areas in your life where sin or negative patterns have become entrenched. These could be addictions, destructive thought patterns, or persistent character flaws.

Rely on God's power for victory. Acknowledge that human effort alone is insufficient to overcome these strongholds. Instead, tap into the power of God through prayer, Scripture, and the support of other believers.

• Make a list of personal strongholds you need to address
• Memorize and meditate on Scriptures relevant to your struggles
• Seek accountability and support from trusted Christian friends

9. Recognize God's Presence in Every Situation

God's present is his presence. His greatest gift is himself.

Cultivate awareness of God's presence. David's joyful dance before the Ark of the Covenant demonstrates an acute awareness of God's presence. Strive to develop this same sensitivity in your daily life, recognizing that God is always with you.

Find joy in God's presence. Like David, allow the reality of God's presence to fill you with joy and gratitude. This awareness can transform even mundane or difficult circumstances into opportunities for worship and growth.

• Practice mindfulness of God's presence throughout your day
• Incorporate regular times of praise and thanksgiving into your routine
• Look for evidence of God's work in unexpected places

10. Honor Your Commitments and Keep Your Promises

God makes and never breaks his promises.

Value the power of promises. David's faithfulness to his covenant with Jonathan, even after Jonathan's death, illustrates the importance of keeping our word. Recognize that our promises reflect God's character and impact our relationships with others.

Extend grace in your commitments. Just as God keeps His promises to us despite our failings, we should strive to honor our commitments even when it's difficult or the other party seems undeserving. This kind of faithfulness can be a powerful testimony to God's love and grace.

• Be thoughtful and intentional about the promises you make
• View keeping your word as an act of worship and obedience to God
• Extend forgiveness and grace when others fail to keep their promises to you

Last updated: October 2, 2024