Facing Giants...

When you are in a pressing state of mind or repercussion, how do you move forward?

2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9 NIV. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

It seems that whenever I say yes to God, there comes a type of backlash effect upon me, ‘IF’ I allow it. Backlash: meaning a sudden violent backward movement or reaction. Isn’t that interesting… sudden, violent, backward movement or reaction, when I become jaded (by allowing things to come against me, to fatigue me, or make me dull, be seeing or focusing too much on something that begins to pull me down, in a negative way) the enemies attacks become real. Please hear me only if I agree with the oppressor.

Joshua 1:9 NIV. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

There are two avenues here, choose to be moved back or choose to move forward?

Moving back, you are then oppressed (to load or burden with unreasonable impositions) by the enemy and what God has destined for you to do is now depressed (weak, low or cast down).

Moving forward, you are obeying God, and in His ability, you are able to advance and abide (biblically means to remain stable or fixed in a state of love, that abided with Him all of his days).

When ‘facing giant’s’ remember who you belong to, ‘God’ and run to Him. Stand strong on the promises laid out for you and claim what’s rightfully yours.

Psalm 27:1 NIV. The Lord is my lamp and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of Whom shall I be afraid?

Strategies to fight giants. - Don’t get caught in their net. Lies spoken in your thoughts or what they look like in front of you, we live by faith not by sight, and don’t put a face on evil. While the oppressions come of down talk and putdowns, cast them off.

- These acts of praising, worshiping, fasting, and praying are all important, ask the Lord how He wants you to humble yourself and surrender to Him. (He may need you to do a specific action required to strike the giant down).

- Soaking in His presence. Quiet yourself completely, allow Him to show you and communicate with you in different ways. Some ways the Lord will show Himself to you is by visions, dreams, words, and or scripture. God will use different ways to reach us and as long as it lines up with the Word of God it is His truth. Soak in His presence by listening and not requesting or expecting anything from Him, just simply rest in Him.

Even still, I have soaked in His presence has been just to be with Him, encountering His warm embrace. Sometimes I pray in the Spirit and wait and listen, and wait more and listen more. Don’t rush it. Other times, I’ll sit and pray, ask, and wait, pray more, fast, worship, or sing a new song, praising Him, standing on promises of scripture, soaking more, waiting quietly, patiently, resting, being still, praying in tongues more, soaking.

When someone comes to speak to you on God’s behalf (their obedient heart) make sure its Truth, line up the words spoken with the Word of God.

1 Samuel 17:47 NIV. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.

Literally David faced Goliath a giant over 9 feet tall, with 125 pounds of weight in armor and the tip of his spear weighed 15 pounds, he was massive seemed he was fully equipped for battle and had experience but when the Lord calls David he looked small and insufficient to fight any battle let alone face this giant. David was a shepherd boy – he attended sheep, not conquer soldiers in war. As he faced off this giant, ill-equipped for battle, he not only had just a stone and a sling but the Lord God was with him and down went the giant, dead.

Lord, I thank You for all the giants You have slain in my life, thank You for fighting the battles for me. Lord I pray Your people come to You with the battles they face and lay them down for You to conquer. I pray Lord for a softening of people’s hearts to come to know You as their Lord and Savior, that they realize their life has value and that they are accepted by You just as they are. Lord I pray an outpouring of Your love over all, we all need a refreshing of love here on Earth Lord and I thank You for You never-failing, never -ending love. Lord I pray for healing in our land for those who have the virus Lord, I pray You heal them, for by Jesus’ Stripes they are the healed and we claim the healing for them. In Jesus name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 & 11:1 NIV. 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the Church of God – 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.