The Giant We All Face

David and Goliath is an account from Scripture that many people even outside the Church family are familiar with.  They even say that's a Bible story that I know yet it is more than a story as we think of as fiction.  David and Goliath is an actual event that we can relate to and learn from.  The giant that David faced is a giant that we all face in our current story.
The mighty army of Israel under the leadership of King Saul stood on a battlefield facing their enemy, the Philistines.  The champion of the Philistines was a giant of a man in physical appearance and his intimidating words were more of a threat to the army of Israel.  Goliath defied the might of the God of Israel and taunted the mighty warriors who were proven in battle but small in the sight of this enemy.  First Samuel 17: 11 tells us that "On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified."  From the king to the water carrier they were all anxious, shocked, intimidated and terrified.  The giant stood before them and threatened their confidence and existence.
A giant that we all face is disappointment and discouragement that threaten our confidence and existence.  We can be discouraged and disappointed about our appearance, our abilities, our finances, our family, and our overall circumstances.  Anxiety, shock, intimidation and fear keep us locked up away from hope and the good call that God has in store for each of our lives. We are frozen on the battlefield and we feel hopeless and helpless.
Like the army of Israel we may ask how can we overcome such a formidable opponent?
Like David in the account of Goliath, we must take up a weapon that seems small but in the hands of a skilled warrior is able to defeat disappointment and discouragement.  David's smooth stones in the slingshot were familiar to him and he used them with skill to take down the giant.  We have hope that we are all familiar with and now we need to use hope to defeat the enemies of calling, our destiny and existence.
Hope comes from God:  "Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him.  And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with HIs super-abundance until you radiate with hope:"  
Romans 15:13 (The Passion Translation).  Hope is more than wishful thinking but it is an anchor to our soul (Hebrews 6:19) that keeps us stable and solid in any circumstance. How do we hold onto hope?
*We must visit the Mountain of Transformation (Matthew 17) and receive fresh hope and insight from the Presence of God.  It's not enough to talk about experience with God but we must experience Him everyday!  We need to be refreshed with joy and re-seeded with Hope from Him.
* We must trust that God is working in every valley (Psalm 23:4) and our "Mountain-top" experiences will transform our thinking to bring solutions into every situation.
* We must embrace that everywhere is 'messy' but we are destined to be overcomers (I John 5:4) and we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)
*We must deal with disappointment and renew our mind with what is truth from God. God has healing and solutions in every circumstance we have ever or will ever face. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God (Romans 8:39)
We can surround ourselves with others who are holding onto Hope and walking in Faith.  We can be the one who encourages others today and in doing so we reap more hope and courage in our own lives. We can be rejoicing always, praying without ceasing and giving thanks in all things (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18).
 
Some questions to ponder and ask yourself and someone else:
How am I connecting with God today and how am I getting ready to receive HIs solutions to every situation I face?
Where have I seen God transform a valley (low place) into solutions and satisfaction?  What valley that I see today can be transformed in that same way?
What disappointment can I deal with today as I give it to the Lord and ask Him for solutions and healing?