GIANTS and How to Slay Them ~ plus winner of book giveaway

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

 



 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you hast defied.  This day will the LORD deliver you into mine hand.  1 Samuel 17:45-46a

 

After my devotional time the other day, I praised God for the beautiful day.  As I sipped my coffee, I enjoyed the view from my window -- golden leaves fluttered on the dogwood tree with the morning sun sparkling through.  I smiled. I felt peaceful.

All was right in my world. 

The first thing on my to-do list was to choose my insurance plan for 2014 during its annual open enrollment.  I sat down at the computer by the window expecting to be done within fifteen minutes.  I signed into the website.  To my dismay, when I got to the screen where I’d make a selection, the screen was grayed out, and NO Coverage was already selected for me.  I couldn’t move forward or backwards.  I had to resort to the 1-800 number. 

So, with that I began a series of back-to-back calls to my insurance provider until I finally got a place in line, and held for a little over an HOUR before I could talk to a live representative.  During the 2 ½ hour process (at the end of which all was resolved) I had time to analyze what was happening in body as a result of that predicament.

My lovely happy view out the window was the same.  The leaves swayed in the dogwood tree, and squirrels played on its branches, as I held the phone to my ear and glanced back and forth at the computer screen.  Earlier I was all smiles.  Now unpleasant changes were taking place in my body as a result of this unexpected inconvenience.

My heart rate rose.

Tension across my forehead warned that my blood pressure was rising.

My shoulder began to ache; my neck got stiff.

I was afraid.

All because of an unexpected “glitch” which resulted in insurance complications.

I had to stop myself and note, HEY, everything is still right with my world!

 

This was just another giant.  (Okay, maybe I made a mountain out of a mole hill.)  But, it seemed like a giant, and we have to face these GIANTS daily in some shape or form…but, still, the things that mattered most had not changed. 

I want to be like David. Just think of that little shepherd boy who faced a real GIANT.

He had confidence in God’s presence, God’s protection, and God’s provision.

If we focus on the negative—the problem, the opposition, the pain, the loss, the sickness, the sorrow, the FEAR…

It will GROW in proportion to the attention we give it, and DOMINATE our mind, and TORMENT our physical body with the weight of that burden we take on.

That’s why we have to FOCUS on God—His presence, His protection, His provision.

To maintain that godly perspective that assures us

All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26b)

and we can walk on water (Matthew 14:29) and move mountains (Matthew 21:21) and slay all our giants without breaking a sweat. 

That’s when all’s right with my world.

 

Photo courtesy of Marissa Nicole Photography

 

 

Many thanks to all of you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I appreciate you.  Thanks also to all of you who visited last week and met Elaine Marie Cooper.  We love reading your thoughtful comments. 

 

And now to announce the winner of Elaine's new release ~ Fields of the Fatherless.  Veronica Leigh will be receiving her own signed copy.  Congratulations Veronica! 

 

Remember the first Monday of every month, we give away a book.  Blessings!