Defeat Your “Giants” with These 3 Tactics

When you hear the word giant, you may imagine a creature that is enormous and powerful, a monster, or an unbeatable superhuman figure. It is no wonder that the things we fear or find difficult to face are often likened to giants.

Everyone has their own “giants.” These giants may appear in the form of your greatest fear that often troubles you. It may also take the form of negative thoughts that are hard for you to defeat. Or, a weakness or sin that repeatedly causes you to fall. Slowly but surely, this giant will eat away at your joy, spirit, and faith in God, and may even leave you in despair. 

However, do not worry. Apply the following three tactics to defeat your giant:

1. Recognize Your Giant

To defeat something, we first need to recognize what it looks like. In this case, we need to recognize our own giants. The Bible clearly records what kind of giant had to be faced by David in the battle against the Philistines.

Then a champion came out from the Philistine camp. His name was Goliath, from Gath. He was six cubits and a span tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore a coat of scale armor; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. He wore bronze protection on his legs, and a bronze javelin was slung on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. – 1 Samuel 17:4-7 

Goliath was a giant warrior from the Philistine army, nearly twice the height of an average man. His armor alone weighed 57 kilograms, and the point of his spear weighed about seven kilograms. Just imagine how huge, strong, and terrifying Goliath was! On the other hand, David was only a shepherd with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. It seemed impossible that he could defeat someone like Goliath.

Yet David was not afraid. Instead, he understood and accepted the difference in their strength. In other words, David clearly recognized the kind of giant he had to face. 

Perhaps today we no longer face physical giants like Goliath. Even so, giants can come in other forms, such as fear, the tendency to be overly accommodating, insecurity (insecurity), worry, a quick temper, and so on. 

In the past, what was hard for me to overcome was being overly hesitant / reluctant. This made me bottle up many things, not daring to speak, afraid of disappointing or hurting others, and afraid of being a burden. As a result, I could not be my true self.  

What form does your giant take right now? Have you recognized it? If not, learn to see and accept your giant first, before you can fight it.

2. Step Forward and Fight It

The Philistine came forward morning and evening. He presented himself for forty days. – 1 Samuel 17:16

The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who keeps coming out? Surely he comes out to defy Israel!” – 1 Samuel 17:24

For days, Goliath mocked the army of Israel. He waited to see who would dare to fight him, and not a single soldier from Israel’s army dared to step forward.  

Perhaps that is how your giant accuses and weakens you every day, making you afraid and seemingly powerless against it.

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should dare defy the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:26b 

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart because of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:32

When no one dared to fight Goliath, David went and stepped forward to face him. What made him so brave in facing Goliath?

David also said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will also deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:37a 

As a shepherd, David had experience with God. He had experienced the mighty power of God delivering him from the danger of wild animals that wanted to devour his sheep. David trusted God that the same God would also deliver him from Goliath.

Strength through the Power of God's Word

Just as David stepped forward and fought Goliath with full faith, we too can fight our giants with the power of God’s word. God’s word is the most powerful weapon. Not only to fight our “giants,” but also to teach, rebuke, correct behavior, and train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). 

Remember, no matter how great your giant is, you can defeat it. There are only two choices: defeat it or be defeated by it. If David, so small, could defeat the giant Goliath with God, then you too can defeat your giant with God. 

There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear. – 1 John 4:18a 

In my case, there was too much fear within me, which made me overly hesitant toward other people. However, the verse above strengthens me to do everything on the basis of love, and without fear or reluctance. 

There are several things you can do to defeat your giant. For example, by memorizing Bible verses, persevering in prayer so that you do not fall easily, or developing a specific strategy. Besides that, it would be good if you had a mentor / guide or a community that can help you defeat your giants, as discussed in the next point. 

3. You Do Not Need to Face It Alone

Carry one another’s burdens! In this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

God wants us to help one another carry our respective burdens. Do you have friends who are willing to struggle alongside you and can help you face your giant? If not, I encourage you to have a spiritual community that can support your efforts. 

When we are alone, we will more easily feel down or stressed when the giant comes to corner us. But together, we will become stronger, because there are others who can help when we begin to lose our fighting spirit or fall into despair. 

I have a community at church that has greatly helped me become a more confident and genuine person. Here, I am consistently guided to keep building relationships with many people from different backgrounds, social statuses, ages, and even different personalities. 

At first this was very difficult for me. There were times when I wanted to give up. However, when I knew that there were people in the community who were also facing the same giant, I became encouraged and willing to learn from them. In fact, I praised God when I saw how they succeeded in defeating their giants. I am grateful because I am not alone in facing all this. 

What kind of people are around you? Do you already have a community whose members help one another defeat their own giants? If not, come and be part of a positive community so that you can be more encouraged and better helped in facing your giants.

Nothing is impossible for God. If David could defeat Goliath, we too can defeat our spiritual giants. Recognize your giant, then step forward and defeat it with the power of God’s word, along with the support of a community that can help you. Amen. 

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