Blessings or Bruises?

Hello, Dear Readers-

Start with a Clean  Slate

We’re half way through the first month of the new year. They say we start with a clean slate, but do we? Or do we drag our giants from the previous year over the edge of yesterday and into today?

David Facing the

Giant Goliath

A lot can happen to us in 365 days. There’s a top ten list of the most stressful things that can happen to a person. One year I had everything except the death of a family member and a divorce occur plus a few things that I think should be on that list. Though I was battered and bruised, when I got to the end of that year I breathed a sigh of relief and praised the Lord that by His grace I made it through.

The little boy, David, in the Bible fought a giant. A real, nine-foot, nine-inch-tall giant named Goliath whose coat weighed 125 pounds. David had been tending his father’s sheep when he was called on to take some food to his brothers on the front line. Goliath started taunting the Israelites trying to stir up a fight. David stepped forward with faith in His God and his slingshot and a few stones. Overcoming all the odds, David won the battle for the Israelites. How can David’s approach to his giant help us with ours?

1)      Approach life from a spiritual perspective: Ask yourself, “What does my situation look like from God’s perspective?” David knew that nothing was impossible with God. It wasn’t David standing there staring Goliath down. In David’s mind, it was God standing there with slingshot in hand.

God Always Keeps

His Promises

      2)     Have a personal, practical faith: God is faithful to keep His promises to His children. It is not in His character to break a promise. Have you had a personal experience with the God of Heaven where you asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? You are part of His family and part of your inheritance can be found in the promises of the Bible.

3)      Focus on God’s Glory: Is your focus on self-glory or God’s glory. Little David was sure and certain about His God and took no credit for the outcome of the battle. He gave all glory to God. I have no doubt that regardless of the outcome, David would have done the same.  Is your focus on your blessings                                                                  or on your bruises?

You can read David’s story here to see for yourself how he handled the giant that was looming over him. It takes great courage to stand and face our giants, but with the lessons we learn from David, it will be much easier. And, hopefully, we can focus on the blessing of victory as we overcome what the world throws at us.

Going out with joy today-

Cathy