What To Do In Overwhelming Challenges

Ever felt like you were up against a wall? Like a cold, hard, unyielding barrier with absolutely no way out? Stuck? Stymied? You can’t go back, you can’t go sideways and it’s too high to climb. What do you do? Read on…

Last week we explored how we can overcome our overwhelming giants by how we respond to two personal challenges. The last two personal challenges can give us more insight to overcoming life’s hardest obstacles.

The Challenge to Resist Conformity
King Saul dressed David in his own armor to prepare him for the face-off with Goliath, but it was like Andy DeVito in Shaquille O’Neal’s clothes. David told Saul, “Are you kidding me I look ridiculous, I can’t go in these. Saul, this may work for you, but not me."Instead, David picked up five smooth stones.

Sometimes we have to face our Goliath alone. At the end of the day we have to choose who we will battle. We can read all the books on a particular subject and listen to all the experts. We may want someone to make decisions for us. It doesn’t work that way.

No family member, friend, teacher, boss or mentor can choose your armor for you. Your heart, skills, gifts and possibilities are yours and no one can choose your armor for you. Romans 12:1-2

Resist conformity and stand up and be who God created you to be.

The Challenge of the Crisis Moment
Everyone was watching the scene in the ravine between Goliath and David. Reality TV doesn’t get any better than this. What are you facing today? Your giant may overwhelming, but it’s not bigger than God.

Imagine the shock of Goliath? This unlikely victory is all about God and that’s enough! Have you been successful in fighting your battles on your own? Aristotle said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to operate in the face of fear.” Courage is having the right amount of fear directed to the right object for the right reason. Is that the kind of courage you desire?

Face your fears and doubts and then be willing to trust in spite of those things. Goliath wasn’t ready and in fact he never saw it coming up. He didn’t get it until it finally sunk in. Nothing like this ever entered his head.

We all face fear and anxiety.  What Jehovah did for David he can do for you! Whatever the obstacle you face God will meet you there! Is there fear and uncertainty in your future? Maybe there is a deeper fear in you? Maybe you think that God doesn’t really care about you? Maybe someone is more worthy of God’s love than you? Please don’t buy that lie.

If you allow circumstances and people to run your life rather than God’s love and grace you won’t overcome the giants in your life. Your Goliaths can intimidate and convince you to cower and run. If you runaway day after day and you’ll die a little each day and lose heart. Life is way too precious to go down that road!

One stone of God is stronger than anything else thrown at you. So, grasp your stone and realize the battle is the Lord’s. This was not about David’s skill and strategy, but about how God operates.

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

There’s no need to be eloquent, brilliant and good looking when you place your trust in God. Don’t try to control your giant or trust in your own strategy and ingenuity, but trust Him. I don’t know how big your giant is, but it’s not bigger than God. So, pick up that stone of faith and believe in God’s grace and His ability to help you overcome your Goliath.