Everyone has a Goliath

Yesterday in church we studied in Samuel.  The message was based on the story of David versus the Goliath and contrasted the differences between David and Saul.  The primary focus was showing the difference between facing adversity in our life with fear versus faith.  Our teaching pastor reminded us that Goliaths are so intimidating because they isolate us and marginalize God.  If we simply approach adversity with faith then God is greater than any Goliath we will ever face.  Phil’s best point is that everyone has a Goliath and it is extremely important that we what who/what our personal Goliath is at this point in our lives.  Saul was paralyzed by fear and his selfish instincts to care only about his own livelihood paralyzed himself and a whole army.  David was at a much stronger physical disadvantage but his acknowledgment that he was not facing Goliath on his own but was facing the Philistine with God at his side is why he was able to succeed.  His faith and courage motivated the whole army to act.  We get to choose everyday how we face the challenges in our life.   Phil ended the message by asking each of us who know who/what our personal Goliaths are to come up to the stage and grab a rock.  His challenge was to carry that rock with us for 30 days as a reminder that God is always with us and can use something as simple as a rock to defeat even the most intimidating Goliaths.  He also reminded us to remember all of the lions and bears in our lives.  If we remember all the things we have overcome with God’s help in the past then it gives us the courage needed to tackle whatever adversity we are faced with.  I was so encouraged and inspired by the message and I’m ready to see how much more progress I can make when I quit trying to fix everything myself and instead keep God as the most important part of the equation.