GIANTS

I recently read a story of a man who struggled with clinical depression. He often displayed a demeanor of melancholy. He had frequent thoughts of suicide and did not see much good in the world. He struggled with depression from childhood through adulthood. He sought treatments, but they seemed to deliver little help. This man was Abraham Lincoln—considered one of our country’s best presidents.

Only some of our difficulties are this severe. Some days, they may be small, but we are tired, and the situation seems overwhelming. I remember one day, I was walking, and I was almost home. It was a hot day, and I was exhausted. I took a different route, and I came to a small hill. For one brief moment, I thought I could not keep going. But then I thought, yes, I can, because over that hill is home, and I can do this. We all face uphill battles. Remember, Jesus is walking with us, and our eternal home awaits us at the end of this earthly wearisome journey.

We all face giants in our lives. When thinking about this idea, I thought about Moses sending the 12 spies into Canaan to see what the land and area were like (Numbers 13). Twelve men go, explore, and bring back fruit from the region to show the bounty and blessing of the land they were promised to inhabit. Ten of the 12 men came back terrified and told stories of the giants in the nation. “But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large” (Numbers 13:28). They reported there were giants in the land, and they were afraid. Their faith in God faltered in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

I asked myself, “How do I face the ‘giants’ I encounter?” Do I tremble in fear and say it is too big? Or am I like Joshua and Caleb”? How we face these obstacles matters not only to us but also to the people around us. The ten fearful spies spread anxiety and fear to those listening to their stories. Although they may be afraid, those with Joshua and Caleb were also ready to go since they trusted God to deliver on his promise that the Israelites would inhabit this land.

I used to think if I just overcame whatever colossal hurdle I was facing, then I would be ok. But this story showed me that several giants could need to be faced simultaneously. I need to meet each situation in God’s power and might and trust his faithfulness to deliver me. These circumstances are the days I put on the whole armor of God. Whatever I face in this world can be overcome in the strength found in the spiritual world by trusting and believing through the Holy Spirit that God is with me.

Another well-known biblical giant story is David and Goliath. This small, insignificant son and seemingly helpless child in the family defeats a giant tormenting the Israelite people. Where does such courage come from? Was he amply prepared to shoot a slingshot since he spent hours defending the vulnerable sheep he oversaw? Had he spent so much time in the wilderness, alone with just sheep for company, that his faith in God grew to such a level that he was not afraid and could boldly proclaim, “I come against you in the name of the Lord.” (I Samuel 17:45)

God does not waste our lives with meaningless situations. David may have thought why am I out here all alone? But God used this time to prepare David for the greater purpose he had in store. Not only did David have to learn dependence on God to face Goliath, but later also as David was on the run for his life from King Saul. David’s faith had grown with each encounter with the Almighty God so that he would depend on God wholeheartedly when push came to shove. Each skirmish we have offers the opportunity to either grow our faith in God or rely on ourselves.

I am facing multiple giants currently. How am I going to grow a real estate business from nothing? How to help my aging father and the next steps in his weakening condition, my son needing an entry-level job in a difficult economic situation, isolation, and discouragement. I can either say these situations are too big and live in a constant state of anxiety. Or I can turn to God and present all my needs before him with thanksgiving and faith. One problem has been defeated. My son received a job offer in the field of his degree. I praise God for his faithfulness, provision, and goodness to our family. Some giants may take longer to defeat than others. Recently, I found that talking to a trusted friend about how I was feeling helped. Praise God; he may answer his promise to always be with us by sending a friend at the right time.

God can defeat each giant we face. I know that God is faithful. He has proven himself to be trustworthy. The Bible verse that I have been quoting to myself multiple times a day is, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess because he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). At times, I feel like the father in Mark 9:22b who says to Jesus “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”   Then, after Jesus responds that anything is possible for him who believes, the man boldly proclaims, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” I love his proclamation and have repeatedly prayed, “Help me overcome my unbelief.” while facing my giants.

We all have fears, doubts, temptations, and strongholds – giants. That is part of being human. We don’t know how everything will turn out in our lives because we are finite and constricted by time. I fear the unknown mainly because I cannot control it. I want to be like David and fight the giant in the name of the Lord.

Abraham Lincoln defeated his depression because he had a greater purpose and focused on that goal. We all need to find our purpose. I will never have to free enslaved people or heal a nation torn apart by war like Abraham Lincoln. However, God has created me for a purpose. Every day, I want to live my life so that I am open to what God places before me for that day.

 Some days, I encounter giants, and some days I don’t. I can praise God and be his ambassador to everyone I meet daily. Whatever the day presents, I must put on the armor God has created just for me. David could not fight in King Saul’s armor; it was too big for him. Instead, he went out to confront Goliath with the faith that had grown in him as he faithfully served God amongst the sheep.

 Faith in Jesus as your savior is the best way to slay those giants in your life. On that Sunday morning after Jesus’ death, the sealed tomb was a giant the woman faced. However, God rolled the stone away. Jesus left the grave alive, triumphant, and powerful. Through his death and resurrection, he overcame and put to death our enemy. Let him defeat your giants, too. I changed the way I pray about my giants. I don’t need to remind God every day what my issues are or what I face; he knows. Now, I thank God for the answers and triumph that is coming. Pray to God, read the Bible, and develop a grateful heart. These are all tools you can use in your battle. Challenges exist, but God is greater than anything we encounter.