A few years ago, I read Louie Giglio’s Goliath Must Fall, and lately I’ve been thinking that it may be worth another read. Over the last few years, some of the giants I’ve been battling in my life have changed.  But I think that’s normal, isn’t it?  We defeat one giant, another one comes, seeking to put you back in your place.  The enemy is relentless when it comes to trying to take us out.  He’ll throw whatever he can in our way to distract us, to get us to fall into despair, to trip us up for just long enough to slow us down.  Whatever strategy will get us to take our eyes off of Jesus, off of our true callings and identity, off of our true mission, he’ll use.  Good or bad, subtle or right in your face, he’s not above any of it.

So, in this book, there is one particular page that sticks with me, and it says:

Sometimes, we forget that.  Sometimes, we allow our minds to play tricks on us and hyper focus on the problem that’s so right up in our face, that we forget that we have a savior who is literally ALWAYS the solution.  But, friends, don’t be fooled.  It’s always our choice if we take the bait.  It’s our choice whether or not to believe the lies or to believe what God says is true.  That doesn’t mean that we don’t have legitimate hardships and roadblocks that make it harder for us to listen to His truth, we do after all, live in this creation that is fallen and permeated with sin. 

That’s also part of the beauty of His design though.

Before battling Goliath, David went to retrieve stones for his sling, but only a few.  He knew God could defeat this giant regardless of the weapon, whether he had just a few stones, the King’s armor and sword, or none at all.  But he was still intentional about preparing himself for the task ahead.  Let’s be real though, even before he ever had heard of Goliath, he was preparing for this moment.  God had him spending his time being a good shepherd –even to the extent of facing wild animals to protect his flock.  He didn’t frivolously spend his time in the field, but spent time with his God, getting to know who He is.  So, by the time Goliath entered the scene, David already knew the God he served.  And the same God that David got to learn about and worship out in the field under the stars, is the same God on our side today. God still hands us victory against our giants and he absolutely still trains us for tasks and moments we haven’t even conceived of in a wildest dreams.

This is the creator who knows us inside and out, knows how things are connected and layered in our personalities and our past.  He sees all the trauma and the hurt, he knows our love languages and what makes us feel special and the secret desires of our hearts.  And he tells us to give it all to Him.  To let Him change us to this beautiful new creature.  One with a heart of flesh and His very own spirit, combined to imitate and look like Jesus.  That process of handing over every weakness, every failing, along with submitting every gift, is how we fight those giants in our lives.  It’s how we grow and learn how to stop falling for everything the enemy, this world and our own flesh throws at us.   It’s how we stay in the center of His will for us. 

The word tells us that we are meant to be true worshippers, to be victorious, more than conquerors, to finish our races well, to become like Jesus.  Not were meant in some kind of theoretical discussion, but ARE meant.  That’s the me I’m meant to be.  The one who conquers giants.  Who runs after Jesus with her whole heart and never gives in, never gives up.  And it’s all possible because Jesus himself tells us that it is. 

What’s the giant you’re facing today, right this moment?  The one you can picture in your minds eye that is staring you down and taunting you like Goliath?  Claiming that your God isn’t real.  Claiming that there is no one that can defeat him?

Jesus can. 

Jesus has.

And I encourage you to intentionally take the time to prepare for whatever giant is staring you down and whatever one comes next by submitting it all to the God who loves you, by spending time with Him and building that relationship.