Giants Ahead
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Some church folk have the story memorized.
The children of Israel had been wandering around for quite some time. Forty years, in fact.
That’s a long time.
Upon arrival at their final destination, the spies were sent out. Can you imagine the excitement? Twelve spies sent in the Promised Land, their capes flapping in the breeze and their spy glasses tucked in their front pockets. Ok, probably not- just my imagination on the capes and glasses.
Fingers clenched, they anticipated the view of the land.
They saw enormous clusters of grapes.
Cattle grazing beyond their vision.
An overflow of honey production.
It was, indeed, the Promised Land.
But then. Yes, even after 40 years of waiting, there was a “but.”
Then ten of the twelve spies zeroed in on one little detail and they shouted it from the rooftops upon their return to the camp of Israel-
Giants ahead!
Of the ten spies, only two made it a point to tell of the grapes, the cattle, and the honey.
We have a tendency to look at the children of Israel at this point and say,
“You’re worried about giants?! Look at all God has done for you in the last 40 years. He’s fed you, kept your shoes and clothing from wearing out, He parted the Red Sea, and performed miracle after miracle before your very eyes! How in the world could you be worried about the giants?”
Until the giant is staring us in the face. When the circumstance seems bigger than us- we’ve identified our giant.
The battle of our giants is not about size at all. In fact, the physical appearance of their size can even be teensy tiny. Yet they pack powerful punches to our days and attitudes.
Our giants come in the form of having to change yet another diaper.
They appear in our attitudes when someone pulls their car out in front of ours. And sometimes they add a soundcheck, known as the horn.
Our giants carry laptops and iphones; they slip into the battle of trying to find joy in a job we don’t even like.
They look innocent, but have a left hook that rips the smile off our faces and delivers a black eye that immediately swells.
Our giants look like finding an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet after a toddler decided that toilet paper on the roll is overrated. Or the couch colored- with lipstick. True story- just yesterday.
The person taking too long in the fast food line while we wait…
The cashier who is definitely having a “bad day”….
Maybe your giant truly is enormous, like cancer, or divorce, or the death of a loved one…
The giant’s appearance doesn’t matter. Not one bit.
Slaying the giants we face each day is not about how big they are;it’s about how big God is.
Could you share your giant with us so we can pray for one another?
Have a thriving Thursday!
My giant is trying to overcome my husbands affair and trying to feel Gods presence through all of this. My heart is not being receptive through all of this and I feel so alone and isolated..
Dawn, my heart goes out to you … Praying with you as you face this giant
My giant is my weight problem. Thank you for praying.
Prayers going up, Anna- God would you please be with Anna in a special way today?
My giant is a loveless relationship with someone who is both mentally ill and has cancer. Feeling torn about leaving this person who has no family and no other support….and financially it would be a challenge as well! Praying that God lead me in the way to go…listening for His voice, praying I will have the strength to hear and be obedient!
Oh Mary! Amen to your prayer. May God give you peace beyond understanding!
Praying for all your giants, ladies. Mine is that my family has been torn apart by separation, mental illness, infidelity. It is so extremely painful and unbearable most times. We have 2 small children. Please pray for healing. And peace and restoration. Jesus, I trust in You.
Oh Jesus- please be with Mar right now right where she is. Would you give her healing, peace and restoration as she asks?? We praise you for it!- Mar- May God be with you!
Oh Mar, God is holding you in the palm of His hand.
Hey! Thanks for the post! I have been dealing with a giant this week!!! I have been trying to get pregnant for almost 3 years now and nothing has happened! This week my period is late but when I test I get not pregnant response!!! This has really had me with low hopes this week!!! So I am praying to god that I am pregnant-that this be a miracle from him!!
but also if I am not pregnant that he help me and give me strength not to get depressed about it if I am not pregnant!
oh Nieve!! Prayers going up for you.
So true Rachel. The giants are my two boys whose behavior is driving me crazy. The behavior from adoption rejection issues, and fear is challenging and lasts all day. The hyper-vigilance and no sleep magnifies the behavior in them and in me. I am getting nothing done with the constant correction of them getting into stuff from climbing, and from them acting mean to each other. Several gutteral temper tantrums a day is starting to get to me.
My daughter who is married has a husband who is violent, she keeps going back, her baby daughter is taken away and in foster care, and my daughter is making destructive choices for herself.
Jesus- please be with Joanne’s family today. God comfort her heart and soothe her spirit as only You can. I pray that her precious children would be influenced for good and that they would seek to obey their mom. May her patient training invested in them pay off. We praise and thank you for the work You are going to do in their lives!
Love this post, Rachel! So true! The giant that follows me around is probably the fear of failure. However, I do have many others that pop up often that threaten to detour me from entering the Promised Land, especially those recentlysuch as health issues with my children, financial, etc. But God is good and He is stronger than any giant!
Amen Friend. God give the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Love that you have Him!
Tonya, my giant is very similar. I suffer from severe OCD and anxiety. At times it leaves me ‘non-functioning’. I try to remember the scripture that says to lay all our worries and anxieties at Gods feet. Good luck to you Colleen and your precious kids
Jesus would you be with Melissa tonight- may she find the strength to give all her cares to you. Bless her today, we pray together.
Thank you Melissa. Ahh peace to your heart & mind too.
Melissa, I am praying with you
Oh wow! Definitely praying for you Colleen and your precious little girls…the giant I repeatedly face is anxiety/depression…thank for such a timely post Rachel…praying for you and your family too
oh Tonya. What a giant you are facing. 🙁 Thank you for praying and my prayers are with you today.
Thank you Tonya! I am praying for you.
Thank you for sharing your stories Rachel. Yes, giants come in all shapes & sizes. The giant I am currently facing is my abusive, unfaithful husband is now trying to take me to court to take custody of my 2 baby girls. He left us 11 months ago and they were then only 15 months old and 2 1/2. I would love people to pray for me & my 2 girls to stay safe & remain together. And that my ex husband to leave us alone. Thank you!
I will be praying for you and your baby girls.
Thank you so much Veronica!
Colleen- my heart aches for you. Jesus, please be with Colleen and her babies. We pray that you would keep them safe and give them peace. Help them to find rest in You.
Thank you Rachel!
Colleen, I am praying for you and your girls! Have faith! Be strong! “Do not be afraid I am with you. Do not be anxious I am your God. I will help you. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my righteous and victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Oh thank you Mary! I appreciate your encouragement!