“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
– I Samuel 17:47 NKJV
Have you ever faced a giant?
To be more direct, have you ever faced a situation or person that seemed “impossible”?
These “giants” can come in the form of a medical diagnosis, job loss, mounting debts, marriage or parenting struggles, doubt, anxiety, depression, and the list goes on.
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these (or come up with one of your own), you know what it’s like to face a “giant,” and you are not alone.
To feel the weight of a circumstance or diagnosis can feel unbearable.
Recently, the Lord put the idea for this blog in my mind during worship time with my kids.
While a song played that talked about David defeating Goliath with just a stone and sling, I realized that the Lord is our stone and sling.
“For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?”
- Psalms 18:31 NKJV
All we must do is put down everything else we’ve been trying to use to fight and pick Him up.
David knew he couldn’t use the weapons his people tried to give him. He knew they would be too big and heavy for him, making it impossible to fight against the giant.
“David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.”
- I Samuel 17:39 NKJV
It’s no different for us.
What are you using instead of the Lord to fight your giants?
Anxiety over test results or outcome of circumstances, overworking to meet goals, exhaustion from lack of sleep, low self-compassion and self-esteem to meet high expectations, and so much more, can be too heavy for us.
These things weigh us down, leaving us feeling defeated and stuck.
If only we would remember to put these things down and bring them to Jesus.
He is our rock and our fortress.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
- Psalms 18:2 NKJV
About a month ago, I received some concerning test results and needed a diagnostic procedure and biopsy to assist the doctors in finding out what was causing me discomfort and pain.
During this time, I struggled to trust.
I was overwhelmed with emotional and physical stress as I waited for results, hesitated to trust the process, and dealt with anger and frustration towards the medical staff as things progressed very slowly.
At a few points during this process, I told myself I needed to let go and give it to God because I didn’t want to spend my days paralyzed with worry.
So I let go.
God gave me peace and joy amidst the questioning. But I had to physically and mentally “let go” of or “put down” the things weighing me down and pick up my ROCK!
“He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”
- Psalms 62:2 NKJV
It was during this time that I went back to reading my devotional about joy and listening to a Christian audiobook to help maintain a healthy marriage as a wife.
Both habits helped me realize some things about myself and changes that I needed to make.
God used this time to strengthen me in different areas of my life while I waited.
He used my situation to help me realize things I was holding on to that I needed to let go of.
I needed to let go of fear. I needed to let go of the expectations of others.
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”
– Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV
Then I needed to “pick up” the things of God.
I needed to draw closer to God in word and deed, cling to God and then to my family unit (husband and children), continually make the most of every day the Lord has given me, and remember His blessings.
Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t easy to “put down” the things we think will help. We’ll have to make a choice each day, sometimes multiple times a day. Are we going to continue trying to fight the giants ourselves, or are we going to let the Lord take over?
I must be honest; I am still working on this multiple times each day. I have moments when I try to fight on my own and wait to call on the Lord until I am at my wits’ end, and days when I remind myself that I am too weak and powerless to fight without the Lord.
However, it’s important to know that this is part of our faith journey. We may not get it right every time, but I believe if we persevere, we will get better at giving our giants over to the Lord as our FIRST line of defense.
Is there something you need to put down today?
Do you feel the Lord is calling you to choose Him?
If so, I encourage you to step out in faith.
Say a prayer for God to give you the strength and courage to let go of the things that are holding you back from Him.
Let Him take the burden from you and give you rest.
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Matthew 11:28-30 TPT
Graceful Warriors 
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