If you’ve ever felt like life was full of constant battles and skirmishes, you’re right. As believers, we’re fighting a spiritual battle against the enemy, who wants to bring us down and destroy us. It’s critical that we’re prepared and equipped to fight; we’ll never win a battle that we don’t show up for. When we feel like running and hiding, having the courage to stand our ground allows God to teach us some valuable lessons.

Running From Problems Won’t Solve Them

There will always be situations that make us wish that things were different. These are the times that test our resolve; they’re opportunities for us to grow and get stronger. Running away and trying to avoid the situation won’t help, as Adam and Eve found out in the garden of Eden.

After they ate of the forbidden fruit, God came looking for them in the garden and called out to them, “Where are you?” They ran and hid because they were afraid (Genesis 3:9, 10). They decided to move from the place in which they were accustomed to being. We must ask ourselves if we’re running from battles and trying to hide from situations in our lives.

We Must Run Toward, Not Away, From Our Giants

By comparison, when young David showed up ready to fight Goliath, David was equipped because he was at the right place at the right time. He wasn’t in the shepherd’s field, but on the battlefield, obeying God and doing what he’d been instructed to do. He began to walk in a victory he had never envisioned; the same is true for us when we push past our fear and step out in faith.

Goliath completely intimidated the soldiers. “And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid…And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid” (1 Samuel 17:10, 11, 24). David, however, had the courage to face the situation. He wasn’t afraid to boldly walk onto the battlefield and confront the enemy. “…Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26). David had been trained to fight in previous battles as a shepherd, and was therefore able to dispatch this enemy as well.

Victory Starts with How We Think

We all have giants in our lives ready to raise their ugly heads and terrorize us. It might be the giant of depression, fear, anxiety, loneliness, or addiction. Instead of running away, we must be like David, willing to run toward it and face it head on. The giants we face may seem big and scary like Goliath; we must decide whether we’re going to pretend the problem doesn’t exist, or respond the way David did.

Although he was small in stature, David drew his strength and comfort from God. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). This was as much a spiritual battle as a physical one; although it looked as if David was outmatched, he had all the help he needed to win. “So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, AMPC). Although Goliath was big, God was bigger.

Our Mindset Makes a Difference

We can learn from Adam, Eve, and David to find perspective on the issues we encounter. Adam and Eve tried to cover up themselves and the problem, but it was still there; David’s brothers and the men of Israel refused to deal with the situation, but instead let it deal with them; David walked right toward the problem, confident in his God. We’re free moral agents; we can either decide to cower and run, or stop running and deal with whatever happens.

Ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away, minimizing it, discussing it with others, or doing nothing, aren’t solutions; victory starts with our attitude. The size of the problem doesn’t matter; we simply must decide to deal with it. David’s mindset was that it was impossible for him to fail, because God was on his side. “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see my desire established upon those who hate me” (Psalm 118:6, 7, AMPC).

Refusing to Flee Gives Us Victory

Unlike his brothers, David took responsibility and refused to run. He knew that despite the enemy’s physical size and strength, God was stronger. Goliath didn’t have a chance; this gave David confidence. This is the kind of mindset we need. “…Because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). 

A winning strategy to conquer the giants in our lives is to make use of what we already have, to believe it’s possible to master whatever presents itself, and not to underestimate our capabilities. David used his slingshot and five smooth stones; the widow faced with the possibility of losing her sons used the household pots for Elisha to fill with oil (2 Kings 4:2). We most likely have resources we aren’t even aware of to use when we need to. We’re more capable and resourceful in a pinch than we realize.  

We don’t have to let fear and intimidation parade themselves up and down in our lives the way Goliath did to the army of Israel. Neither do we have to be distressed like the widow was before Elisha came to her. Having faith that God will walk us through a situation so that we come out of it better than before gives us the courage and strength to tackle every problem. Standing firm lets God give us the victory.