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Facing Your Giants, Part One

1/30/2015

David (Mason) defeats Goliath (Uncle Matt).

Have you heard the story about a boy who killed a giant with a single stone? While we might not have read it, I’d guess we all have a little knowledge of it. After-all, many events where an underdog goes up against a favorite usually make the headlines as a “David vs. Goliath” event; so my bet is, to some degree, we all have heard of the story. My three-year-old grandson, Mason, loves the story of David and Goliath. He loves it so much that we reenact parts of tale often- very often, in fact. When he puts on the Armor of God costume, we assume our roles and the dramatization is ready to begin. He enjoys when I assume the role of David; while he prefers the part of Goliath. He has mastered the art of falling, very dramatically, when I release the pretend stone from my sling. It is really quite comical. The story quickly became one of his favorites and often leads to discussions of David’s obedience and God’s faithfulness.

For those who might not know many details about Goliath, he was a champion of the Philistines, one who seemed invincible. He was taller than everyone (at almost 10 feet tall), he wore incredible armor that surpassed everyone else’s and his “spear’s head weighed 600 shekels of iron” (1 Samuel 17:7). He was big and he was a bully, but this bully met his match when David heard his threats and decided, when no else would, that he would be the one to meet Goliath’s challenge.

Over the last few weeks, as Mason and I had our fun acting out this story, I began to see how often I’ve had to face a “Goliath” in my own life. I realized I’ve stood toe to toe with many giants, like Goliath, that have challenged to me. These are giants that have taunted me with threats that lead me to doubt I am big enough, strong enough, or brave enough to win whatever battle I was facing at the time. I’ve been mocked by giant insecurities that have been determined to paralyze me from experiencing the life God intended for me. I’ve been haunted by the past, challenged by giant financial burdens, and harassed by giant relationship battles. I’ve also been hassled a time or two…okay, maybe more, by giant pride issues, which have detained me from hearing God clearly. Fear is a giant that harasses me quite often: fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of loss. Fear. Fear. Fear. Ugh. I decided it was time to take a good look at David’s defeat of Goliath. I asked the Lord for clues that would help me become a giant-killer just like David was. I want to kill the giants that rise up against me and dare to defy a servant of the Living God.

The first clue I noticed was this- when David heard the threats he asked two questions: “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel?” and “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God” (vs. 26 NLT).

So, I’m going to begin asking myself… “What will I get for killing this giant in my life and ending its defiance against me?” Will killing the giant of pride allow me to live the peace-filled life God intended? If I surrender the insecurities that try to hold me hostage, will they no longer strangle me? Will I gain the freedom I long for? Will I finally be free from the pain and sorrow of past regrets? Will I finally be able to put to death the lies I’ve clung so tightly to? Will I finally walk in the knowledge that I am exactly who God says I am?

Maybe it is time to ask, “Who is this Giant anyway, that I allow to challenge me, a Child of the Living God?” It is time, child of God, to take your stand against the giants! Why do we cower behind these giants, afraid to confront them with the truth of God’s Word? Why is it easier to surrender to defeat without picking up our slings (Bibles) and stones (Scripture)? Why do we forget there is power in the name of Jesus?

“For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army” (1 Samuel 17:16 NLT). Forty days, morning and night, they heard the same taunts. How many days will your giant be allowed to taunt you?

“Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (v 32).

To Be Continued…

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There's An APP For That

1/21/2015

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One day last week, I had a moment. Well, truthfully, it was more than a “moment.” It was more like a few long hours when something I had been looking forward to and was excited for turned to disappointment; then the disappointment took an unexpected turn and became hurt; then the hurt gave way to anger. Within a few hours of the day I experienced excitement, disappointment, hurt and anger. It was an emotionally exhausting day. I was glad to see my husband, Pat, walk through the door after work, so he could be my venting station. I’m not so sure he was as happy as I was that he was the man for the position, but he was able to help me work through some of the emotion. When we left for midweek service at church, I should have expected that God would be waiting for me. He was right there, ready to speak to my heart and give me a fresh perspective and understanding of my crisis of the day.

While at church, our Pastor spoke about pressing ahead, moving forward, letting go of what was in the past and leaving the past behind us. Words from Philippians 3:13-14 which Paul wrote, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward” (AMP). It became clear to me, as he shared, that I was trying to pick up something I had done in the past. I was trying to take up again what God had removed once before; when I discovered my schedule wouldn’t allow it I became disappointed. My mistake wasn’t in my disappointment; the mistake was the way I handled myself in the disappointment. I failed to trust that God was in the circumstance and if He wanted this for me, it would have worked out. My mistake was allowing my emotions control over the situation and they were able to conceal the fact that God is the One Who works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Far too many times we become disappointed when a plan we have made fails to work out the way we hoped; and then, rather than trust God has something different, or better, in mind for us, we become angry and accusing.

For a few days prior to my emotional outburst, I had this statement rolling around in my mind. It was a phrase that caught my attention every time I heard it, and I seemed to hear it a several times a day, so I knew the Lord wanted me to take notice of it. Are you ready? This was what I heard: “there’s an APP for that.” Strange? I thought so too, which is why I ignored it, until my “moment” caused me to seek understanding as to why, “there’s an APP for that” continually ran through my mind. Here’s what I believe the Lord wanted to show me.

I looked up the definition of APP and discovered this: “APP, a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device.” (http://goo.gl/sXXO3z) So an APP is something designed to fulfill A Particular Purpose. God has designed circumstances that He intends to use to fulfill A Particular Purpose in my life. As I was rehashing last week with Him, I began to wonder how different that day may have been if I had said, “There’s an APP for this”, and simply asked Him to show me what it was. How different would our days be if we responded to every irritation, frustration, or uncomfortable situation with: “There is an APP for this, A Particular Purpose, which He intends to fulfill.” Even in the great moments of life we should be able to recognize that God has an APP for them too.

I wonder if we would react to the pressures of daily life differently if we took the acronym for APP and made it a regular part of our day, in three different steps.

Step one would be to Recognize that we are walking through something designed to fulfill A Particular Purpose. Good OR bad all things have purpose. Remember Romans 8:28 says: “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” (AMP). So, acknowledge to the Lord that there is an APP for the struggle you are in and then move on to step two…

Once we acknowledge there is A Particular Purpose for the situation, we will begin to seek God’s Word for our next APP…A Prayer Promise. Praying the Word of God, in the midst of the battle, is effective and powerful. Psalm 138:2 reveals to us that “He magnifies His Word even above His name.” Find the APP that holds God’s promises for you and your situation. God always has a verse for us to hold on to for each and every trial we face. Once you have discovered the APP to cover the struggle you are in, it’s now time to move on to step three...

Use the next APP, A Praise Point, often. God is worthy to be praised (2 Samuel 22:4). In First Chronicles 16:8-9 we are told to “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts (NIV). God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). According to Strong’s Concordance, inhabits is translated, “to dwell, remain, sit, abide” (http://goo.gl/YcRduK). Through every struggle and in every success, God is to be praised. With each disappointment, we should praise Him for the delight to come. When we praise Him, He dwells there. We must make it a point to praise the Lord. I confess I am guilty of forgetting to even thank Him, much less make it a point to praise Him.

You are more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37) so be determined to trust the Lord in all situations and remember...there is an APP for that.

A Particular Purpose

A Prayer Promise

A Praise Point

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Mushrooms and Mayhem

1/11/2015

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I headed off to the grocery store with two grandkids in tow to pick up a few items for the weekend. How hard could it be to run in, gather what I needed, and run back out? I am always amazed that the degree of difficulty really depends on how compliant children decide they want to be. I placed a three-year-old, and a one-year-old in the two attached child seats connected to the cart and set off to complete a mission. We had only reached the produce section when the tussle began. As I placed a package of mushrooms in the seat of the cart, I heard the three-year-old say, “I don’t want them there” as he leaned forward, picked up the mushrooms, and tossed them down into the lower basket. I walked to the shopping cart and said: “I want them up here so they don’t get crushed by our other groceries,” and I calmly set them back in the top seat of the cart.

“No, Mimi, I don’t want them up here,” was the reply, as they were tossed back down. “Mason. Please don’t touch the mushrooms again,” I repeated, a little less calm, as I once more placed them in the basket. Once again, they were picked up, tossed over, and I heard, “I said I want them down here!!” Now, not as calm, and with a new level of insistence, I firmly said: “I want them up here. Now stop. Do not touch the mushrooms again.” That’s when the mayhem began: it only took one more toss, from the little boy who was determined to have his own way, for me to turn and discover the plastic wrap around the mushrooms had broken, scattering mushroom pieces and parts all over the floor of the produce section…and beyond. I was not amused and a little boy sat stunned, eyes wide, staring at his mess. With a deep sigh, and sweat beginning to form on my brow, I said calmly, through gritted teeth: “Now I want you to get down and pick up every single mushroom on this floor.” He wasn’t thrilled with this option because this little three-year-old doesn’t like to touch anything that looks the least bit dirty, and mushrooms look dirty. After a short discussion, he finally hopped down and went to work cleaning up his mess. An employee at the store told me I could leave the mess, and he would get a broom and take care of it. “Nope. He made the mess; he needs to clean up the mess,” I said. Another employee, who had witnessed the entire scene, offered to take the package of mushrooms, so I could get another. I thanked her and then, after a little nudging, the little mushroom destroyer apologized and also offered his thanks. We continued on to complete our shopping adventure. It could only improve from here, right? Well….

We had spent so much time with our mushroom mayhem, our “quick trip” turned into a rather l-o-n-g extended stay; so long, in fact, the one-year-old became increasingly vocal about her own frustration. She was hangry. You know- hungry and angry all rolled together, and this could not be tamed. So, amidst the stares of other shoppers, who thought I was obviously torturing the little lady, I opened a box of crackers and allowed her to plunge her tiny hands in. Which led to another dispute: who was getting more of the tasty treat? Then I began to hear two statements repeat over and over and over again, “I want to walk” and “Emery is touching me.”

I finally entered the checkout line, with a deep sigh and nap time in sight, when I noticed the little darling was now missing one of her boots. Fantastic. My eyes began to scan and search for the little tan boot that had bailed on me. Thankfully, I found it closer than I thought I would, but when I put it back on, she promptly began pulling them off. On, off, on, off. The lady behind me thought she was cute. I might have thought so as well, two hours ago and under different circumstances. I wasn’t laughing: I was sweating. Little beads ran down the side of my face. A hot-flash-gone-over-the-edge type of sweat, as I placed groceries in the cart, picked up booties and reattached them, and kept a three-year-old in the cart. Finally, I heard the blessed cashier say: “You’re all set. If you just sign the box.” (with what I perceived to be a little attitude). I’m not proud of it, but there might have been an edge to my voice when I replied: “You bet I will. Let me just pull out my third arm.” One might think that we could walk out of the store blissfully happy for what we had accomplished, but not so. Silly me. I decided because it was lunchtime, I would just pick up a sub for the kids to share when we returned home. I was under the impression it would make life easier. One could only hope. Until a little someone was told, he would need to get down and pick up his Goofy stuffed animal that he dropped, and the reply was: “I can’t Mimi; I don’t have three arms” which brought an exhibition of the testing of wills for the customers of Subway. Or when that same little someone was told he couldn’t eat the sub in the car, in front of his sister, on the way home. Oh dear. Let me say it again…it was an adventure.

Later, as I replayed the scene to their parents and papa, I appreciated the fact that: 1) I could look back and laugh and 2) gain new understanding of how irritating my tussles with God over my will, and His must be to Him. I am often impressed by the fact that God can love so unconditionally yet, discipline so perfectly. He’s been dealing with children who tussle for-EVER as we fight for control to do what we want, regardless of what He says. I’ve been guilty of throwing many of His instructions out of my basket because I didn’t want to believe they were necessary, important, or trustworthy. When He says, “I want your mouth, your mind, your heart, your pride, your ___________, to be kept in this basket and this is why,” shockingly my reply, at times, has been: “No thanks. I will decide which basket is best for me, and right now I choose to throw them in this basket” and I toss His instructions out. Disobedience and rebellion bring brokenness, and believe me; I’ve been broken a time or two. I’ve discovered how humbling it is to face the consequences of choosing my will over His. He will bring discipline to those He loves and when I’ve tossed something, one too many times, into the other basket, I’ve created quite a mess. Life gets dirty and messy when we begin tossing His instructions out of the basket of His choosing, simply because once we toss the first, it’s like breaking open a package of mushrooms. Mayhem is created.

In the same way the man with the broom volunteered to clean up the mushroom mess, God offers to help me clean up the mess I’ve created through my disobedience to Him; however, there will be no walking away and letting Him do the work for me. I’ll be down on my knees, cleaning up the mess I’ve created, offering the apology, and when I’ve been faithful to do my part, He in return, will offer me the chance to receive the blessing that comes with obedience. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him” (Psalm 128:1, NIV).

We must remember that we are children of God (1 John 3:1). A good parent corrects, teaches and trains their children to follow instructions. We must “hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,” so we “may be wise in the time to come” (Proverbs 19:20, AMP).

Repeat after me: I hear counsel; I receive instruction, and I accept correction because I am a child of God. Now, put the mushrooms back where He wants them.

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