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How to Stand Strong in a Shaky World
“Faith doesn’t make things easy—it makes them possible.”
The David and Goliath Story: A Quick Recap
David was a young shepherd boy who visited his brothers in the army. There, he encountered Goliath, a massive Philistine warrior who was bullying and threatening the Israelite army. Goliath challenged the Israelites to send one man to fight him – if Goliath won, the Israelites would serve the Philistines, but if the Israelite champion won, the Philistines would serve Israel.
When King Saul and his army heard Goliath’s challenge, they were “dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11). But David wasn’t scared. Despite being young, small, and not looking like a warrior, David stepped up. He didn’t wear armor or carry fancy weapons – just a slingshot and a few rocks.
With one perfectly aimed shot to Goliath’s forehead, David defeated the giant. Why? Because he trusted that God was bigger than any giant he faced.
How Do You Stand Strong When Everything Is Shaking?
To stand unshaken in a shaky world, we need three essential qualities:
1. Courage: Facing Your Giants with Faith
David didn’t let fear stop him. He saw the giant, heard the threats, and still stepped forward. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 17:37 that David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
We all face giants in our lives – peer pressure, anxiety, identity struggles, social expectations. These are our Goliaths. But courage rooted in faith helps us stand strong against them.
Faith doesn’t make things easy, but it makes things possible. As Luke 1:37 reminds us, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
2. Confidence: Knowing Who You Are and Whose You Are
David was confident not just in his own abilities but in God’s power and his purpose. True confidence comes from knowing who you are in Christ – not from popularity, appearance, or social media likes.
There’s a difference between knowing who you are (your identity) and knowing whose you are (belonging to God). David understood both, which gave him unshakable confidence even when facing a giant that terrified seasoned warriors.
3. Calling: Walking in Your Purpose
David was called for more than just tending sheep. He stepped into his divine assignment even when others doubted him. 1 Timothy 4:12 encourages us: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
You have a unique calling that nobody else has. Don’t let your age or other people’s opinions dictate your destiny or stop you from walking in your purpose and passion.
Many successful people discovered and pursued their calling at a young age:
Bill Gates learned to code as a teenager and became a billionaire
Oprah Winfrey started in radio broadcasting at 16
Warren Buffett ran businesses as a teenager
Mark Zuckerberg built messaging and music software in middle school
Venus and Serena Williams began playing tennis at age 4
But remember – it’s never too late to discover and walk in your purpose, regardless of your age.
The Choice: Step Back or Step Up?
When faced with challenges, we have two options:
Step back like Saul’s army – let fear control us and retreat
Step up like David – face our giants with courage, confidence, and purpose
The question is: Which will you choose? Will you be like those who say “I’m scared” and step back? Or will you be like David who stepped up because he knew his God was bigger than any giant?
Life Application
This week, identify the “giants” in your life – the challenges, fears, or obstacles that seem overwhelming. Instead of backing away in fear, choose to face them with:
Courage: Ask God for the strength to face your giants. Remember that with God, nothing is impossible.
Confidence: Remind yourself daily of who you are in Christ and whose you are. Your identity isn’t determined by others’ opinions but by God’s truth about you.
Calling: Take one step toward your purpose. Ask God, “What is my calling? What would you have me do? How can I serve your kingdom?”
Questions to Reflect On:
What “giants” am I currently facing in my life?
Am I stepping back in fear or stepping up with faith?
Where do I find my confidence – in others’ opinions or in God’s truth?
What is one area where I need to stop “sitting down” and start standing up for what God has called me to do?
Remember, after you’ve done all you can – prayed, cried, and tried – sometimes all that’s left to do is stand. Stand firm in your faith, stand strong in your purpose, and stand confident in who God made you to be.
