Last week we talked about Elijah, who was a man of God, the greatest prophet, but he got scared, and he lost heart. We learned we need to reach up to God, and reach out to others, to lift us up when we lose heart.
Today we’re going to talk about what to do when your fears hold you back. We all have fears. It’s natural to be afraid of some things. Sometimes it’s a good thing. You don’t do really stupid things, because you are rightly afraid to. When I was a kid, I got a car door slammed on a finger three times. I finally learned became of it happening again, and I was careful where I put my hand.
Sometimes fear is helpful. So having fear is natural, but when your fears stop you from going after your dreams, it’s a tragedy.
We like to think, if we follow God, we won’t have any problems. There is a saying: “God will never give you more than you can bear.” You may say, “I have a magnet that says that. I have a wall decoration that says that! ‘God never gives you more than you can bear!’ It must be true!”
But that’s not in the Bible. Jesus never promised us an easy life. In fact, he had to go to the cross. He did not have an easy life, and he told us we need to take up our cross. What Jesus did say in John 16:33 was “I’ve told you these things so that in me you may have peace.” Then he says, “In this life, you will have trouble.” Nobody makes a t-shirt that says, “In this world you will have trouble.” Maybe we’ll say, “Come to church, we’re going to hand out: ‘In this world you will have trouble’ bracelets, be sure to get yours!
If we’re not careful, we will believe that God will never let a bad situation occur. But God believes in us, more than we believe in ourselves. God believes that with his help, we can face the giants, face our fears, and prevail.
So how do you face your fear, how do you face the Giant?
We can learn from David, who went up against the giant Goliath! David didn’t just come on the scene where Goliath was threatening and bullying, and suddenly have the faith to face a giant! No, David had some experience with fear. He was the youngest of 8 brothers. He survived that, though I imagine there were some scary moments! He was also a shepherd in a dangerous world, where there were bears and lions! When he was out there, by himself in the fields, watching sheep, he depended on God to keep the sheep safe. When his sheep were in danger, he used a slingshot and killed a lion and a bear!
One day the holy man Samuel comes to David’s house to anoint a king, because God told him, “Go to Jesse’s house and anoint his son King!” Samuel surprises David’s dad, Jesse, by saying, “I don’t want any of your sons but the youngest.” Samuel anoints David as king. But you know what happened right after he anoints him? David goes right back out and he keeps watching sheep. So, he keeps serving and protecting the sheep. because David needs some preparation time. David needs to grow in faith through time with God and time facing the giants in the fields.
Then one day David’s father, Jesse, tells David to take some food to his brothers, who are serving in the army. They are facing the army of their enemy the Philistines. David goes out to see his brothers. When he gets there, he can’t help noticing this giant, 9 foot 9 inch Goliath, dressed in battle armor. Goliath screams: “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” He says, “If I defeat him, you will become our slaves. If he defeats me, we will become your slaves.”
Everyone in the army of Israel is afraid of Goliath. But David won’t put up with Goliath’s behavior. David says to the people around him: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David is maybe 14 years old, a little guy. He looks like a kid among grown soldiers. David’s brothers look like soldiers, they walk like soldiers, they talk like soldiers. But when they face a giant, they cower. David is a shepherd, but he’s got God on the inside of him. He’s spent a lot of time out in fields, with God. If you want to be strong, spend time with God.
David’s brothers insult him for talking smack about the giant. They are against David. So David is a little guy, and he is alone in thinking he can face the giant.
I have to think David felt some fear looking at Goliath. David was a human being. But he knew God was stronger than Goliath. He knew the God that is in you is bigger than the Giant in front of you.
What helped David stand up to and face the giant Goliath, was his connection to God, from all that alone time with God watching sheep. David knew God was his help when he faced dangers like lions and bears.
David could look at the army of Israel, and how sad it was to see them living in fear. David figured, “If I run from the giant, I’ll feel worse later. If I run, it’s like I gave up on myself, and gave up on God. Instead, I will face the giant!’ And David took his slingshot and killed Goliath!
God has a purpose for you, and life is better when you don’t hold back in fear. You face the fear: you take a risk and start that business you want to start. You join that group at church you’re a little afraid to join. When life is uncertain, you trust that God has a plan. You’re generous even when you’re afraid. You feel the fear, but you pray and put your trust in God. You step out in faith. Because the God that is in you is bigger than the Giant in front of you.
My homework for you this week is to read 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
We can make a bracelet of that!
If we follow Jesus, we will have trouble. But Jesus says, “Take heart, I have overcome the world!” We don’t need to be afraid to face our giants. The God that is in you, is bigger than the giant in front of you! Amen.
May 24, 2020
Maureen Duffy-Guy's blog 