Challenged By Goliaths

I have had a few Goliath’s in my life. How about you? I think it is safe to say we all have. They show up in various forms. There is the Aggressor who is hostile, intimidating and loves to threaten. The Underminer takes pride in criticism and then there is the Unresponsive person. That one is hard to talk to and answers by one word: yes or no. They make no effort at real conversation or revealing anything more about his or her ideas. The fourth difficult person is an Egotist. This person knows everything and acts superior. These sandpaper people intimidate us and rub us the wrong way.

A dear close friend of mine has been extremely challenged and tested by an obnoxious, unrealistic, extremely critical Goliath, as a client these past few weeks. In my sales job, I have them occasionally. When I get that email that says: “Second request” only on their side inside of mine, it seems unfair.

What are you experiencing as your Goliath recently? Is it a child that has appeared to reject Christ? Or maybe there is a lack of employment. Do you have a friend that you thought was your friend and they have rejected you, and you don’t understand why? Several different types of Goliaths may be playing havoc in your life right now: relationship problems, mental exhaustion, emotions running rampant, or physical issues. Just this past week I was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. But before my day was finished, I had to attend to something I was responsible for doing. However, some little thing went wrong, and that was the fingernail on the chalkboard. A huge distraction torpedoed me, and I failed miserably in losing my patience. I was mentally spent. I was talked out. Frustration overtook my outlook and disposition. I was ashamed of my reaction and my lack of patience. Have you ever been there?

It says in 1 Samuel 17:4-5, that Goliath was 9’9″ tall. He wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 lbs. The iron point of his spear was said to weigh 15 pounds. Besides that, he had a shield-bearer that walked in front of him. Goliath was loud and boisterous! He was an actual sandpaper person! He taunted the Israelites for 40 days, shouting out his threat and dared them to send one from their ranks to fight him. 1 Samuel 17:11 HCSB states: “When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.” The Israelites were afraid because they were looking at the size of Goliath compared to their physical and intellectual abilities and stature. They compared themselves to Goliath and were petrified because they felt inadequate and that they could not in any way strike down and kill the large giant. They could not see beyond their current circumstances. Sound familiar? How often I look at my own Goliath in my life and want to give up. Goliaths are not always people in my life. It might be my schedule with work, my personal “to do” list. It can be my lower lumbar area in my back flaring up. Or it might be another woman that makes me feel lacking in some area and not good enough. I then feel rejected, left out, and lonely. It may not be her intention at all. Or I might feel I am weak in comparison, not smart enough, witty enough, and lack the skills to knock the Goliath down! Have you been there too?

David wins. He did it! David stood up to Goliath. David declared he had God on his side so how could he ever fail? Why don’t I do that more often? David killed Goliath, this 9’9″ giant, with only one stone slung in his slingshot (he didn’t have a machine gun or pistol). Then David used Goliath’s sword to decapitate him. Why don’t I think I am gifted or talented enough when challenged by that person that is domineering and demanding and throwing their weight around? Why do I feel threatened or rejected and think they are better than I am? Those words hurt and cut me. Instead, I need to get my eyes off of myself, stand up straight, and have the God-confidence that I have written and talked about having. We women fall into this far more often than men.

Satan wants us to forget Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think; according to the power at work within us.” We have the power of God at work right within us, available in fighting our battles. That power is activated when we pray!

God is my shield. God is my overseer. God is my great shepherd. Psalm 118:6 ESV reminds me: “The LORD is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Don’t let anyone discourage you. God will help you conquer any Goliath!

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther

Psalm 61:3: “For You have been my refuge. A strong tower against the enemy.”

Thought: David killed Goliath with only one stone. He took six stones, but God aimed that one stone directly to the precise spot on Goliath’s forehead that took him down! That was the power of God in action!

God thank you for being my refuge and my strong tower. Thank you for your patience and forgiveness when I stumble and fall. You lift me up. You go before me and know what is ahead of me. You will help me defeat any Goliath that challenges me. Amen.