1 Samuel 17:8-11 NIV — Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Not only did Saul and the Israelites have a giant blocking them, but the giant was also taunting them just like a bully would do. “Na na na boo boo, you can’t catch me!”  Do you have a giant taunting and teasing you from moving forward? Are you feeling terrified and overcome with fear? 

Fear is an overwhelming emotion if we allow it to take over our thoughts. As Christians, we know in our minds that God is our refuge and with Him we have nothing to fear. When I reflect on times I am fearful of the giants towering over me, I realize I have focused too much on the giant and my own abilities instead of on God and His abilities. I encourage you to spend some time listening to the words of the song Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams. As you listen, focus on God, His abilities, and your response to the giants before you.

Let’s pray. Dear Almighty God, thank You for Your love, guidance and strength. Help me to stay focused on You instead of the giants I face. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.  

Challenge: Refer back to the list of giants you made yesterday. Write beside each giant the words “Fear is a liar!”

1 Samuel 17:1-7 NIV — Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

In today’s terms, Goliath was 9 foot 9 inches tall. He wore a bronze armor that weighed 125 lbs and carried a spear weighing 15 lbs. He was a true giant.

What giant is standing in front of you? Perhaps you have multiple giants you are facing. Are your giants towering over you or blocking you from moving forward? How are you feeling about facing your giants? Are you avoiding them or are you gearing up to face them? Join us tomorrow as we continue to discuss giant slaying.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for stories in the Bible that give me guidance on living a Christian life. Open my eyes to Your message for me this week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: Make a list and name the giant/giants you are currently facing.

This week we will focus on 1 Samuel 17. Spend time today reading and meditating on the entire passage. This passage is a story that I am sure you are familiar with but today, allow God to speak to you through His words. What is His message for you at this time in your life?

1 Samuel 17 NIV

@biblegateway 

Take a few moments today to start your week by listening to See A Victory by Elevation Worship. Spend time praising God for the battle He has already won!

Psalms 40:1-3 NIV — I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

This week I have shared with you how I have been slowly digging out of the dark pit I recently found myself in. It is inevitable that at certain times of life, we all find ourselves walking through valleys and sometimes we fall into a dark pit. The important takeaway is that we don’t remain in the dark pit and that we find a way to dig out of the darkness. My final tip that has helped me is to intentionally look for Godwinks. If you are unfamiliar with this word, take a moment to read this article titled What’s a Godwink.

I believe God is always sending us affirmations and signs of hope, but you and I must be willing to receive. We must have our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds open so we don’t miss all the opportunities we have to “see” God. Looking for Godwinks helped me dig out of the slimy pit. Godwinks have given me hope and have helped “set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

My experience of digging out of darkness: 

Step 1: Cry out to God and read the Bible

Step 2: Connect and share with others

Step 3: Daily gratitude practice

Step 4: Move

Step 5: Look for Godwinks

Let’s pray. Dear Master, thank You for all the Godwinks You send my way. May I be open to receive Your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you feel that you are struggling with depression, you don’t have to struggle alone. You can call The National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 to speak to a professional about depression and get help with mental health resources.

Psalms 40:11 NIV — Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

I am not an athlete. I am also not in great physical shape. However, I do enjoy walking for exercise. Movement is a great mood booster. Take a moment to read this article published by health.gov after the pandemic titled Physical Activity Is Good for the Mind and the Body.

When I was recently struggling with feeling troubled and down, I realized I had gotten out of my habit of walking. My schedule had become so busy that my usual walking time had been cramped. Realizing how important it was for me to move for my mood to improve, I set out to walk around the loop I live on while our dinner was in the oven. Even though I was only able to fit in a 10 minute walk, the time of movement helped lift my spirits and increased my energy level.

My experience of digging out of darkness: 

Step 1: Cry out to God and read the Bible

Step 2: Connect and share with others

Step 3: Daily gratitude practice

Step 4: Move

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, help me to prioritize my time so I am able to find pockets of time to move for exercise. Continue to remind me of the importance of movement. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you feel that you are struggling with depression, you don’t have to struggle alone. You can call The National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 to speak to a professional about depression and get help with mental health resources.

Psalms 40:4-5; 9-10 NIV — Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Over the years I have found that the most immediate way to turn my attitude around is to focus on gratitude. As I have shared before, I start each day with writing down five blessings for which I am thankful. When I recently found myself digging out of a dark pit, I realized I had not been consistent with writing down my gratitudes every day. Once again, the distractions that had pulled me away from my usual morning devotion time had also diverted my attention from my daily gratitude practice. Once I realized what I had allowed to happen, I refocused and restarted my routine. This practice always lifts my spirits and brightens my attitude. 

My experience of digging out of darkness: 

Step 1: Cry out to God and read the Bible

Step 2: Connect and share with others

Step 3: Daily gratitude practice

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for each and every blessing. May I always proclaim Your mercy and goodness to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you feel that you are struggling with depression, you don’t have to struggle alone. You can call The National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 to speak to a professional about depression and get help with mental health resources.