Conquering Life's Giants Through Faith in God
Summary
In life, giants come in many forms—fear, addiction, depression, financial hardship, broken relationships, unforgiveness, doubts, and insecurities. These giants may not be nine feet tall like Goliath, but they are just as intimidating, standing in our way and challenging our faith and identity in Christ. Yet, God never intended for His children to live in fear of these giants. He has given us the power and authority to overcome them in His name. It’s time to stop tolerating what God has called us to triumph over.
The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 teaches us how to face and defeat the giants in our lives. David, though young and inexperienced in battle, did not let the doubts of others or the intimidation of Goliath stop him. He identified the giant, refused to run from the battle, and chose to fight with God’s weapons rather than the world’s. David’s confidence was not in his own strength, but in the power of God. He remembered how God had delivered him from the lion and the bear, and he trusted that God would deliver him again.
We must do the same. We cannot defeat what we refuse to define, nor can we conquer what we continually run from. Faith does not run from problems; it runs toward them, trusting that God is greater than any obstacle. The weapons of this world—anger, manipulation, or even physical might—are powerless compared to the name of the Lord. When we fight in God’s strength, we can be assured that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s.
Finishing the job is crucial. Giants must come down—depression, anxiety, sickness, financial struggles, and every other stronghold. We must not limit ourselves because of others’ limited expectations. Instead, we go forward in the name of the Lord, knowing that even if we have five stones, God may only need one to bring victory. Our giants are temporary, and God’s power is permanent. Just as David, Harriet Tubman, Dr. King, and, most importantly, Jesus overcame their giants, so can we. Jesus conquered the greatest giant—sin and death—so that we could live in freedom. Whatever your giant is, give it to Jesus. He alone can bring it down.
Key Takeaways
- Giants are not always obvious or physical; they can be internal struggles like fear, doubt, or unforgiveness. Identifying your giant is the first step to overcoming it. You cannot defeat what you refuse to define, and ignoring your giant only gives it more power over your life. [19:26]
- Faith requires us to run toward our problems, not away from them. True faith is not passive; it confronts challenges head-on, believing that God is bigger than any obstacle. Running from your giant only prolongs your struggle, but facing it with faith allows God to show His power through you. [20:28]
- The weapons of the world are no match for the power of God. David refused Saul’s armor and chose instead to fight in the name of the Lord, demonstrating that spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. When we rely on God’s strength and not our own, we experience victory that only He can provide. [24:03]
- The battle ultimately belongs to the Lord, not to us. Many times, we exhaust ourselves trying to fix things in our own strength, but God calls us to trust Him and let Him fight for us. Our confidence comes from remembering how God has delivered us in the past and trusting Him to do it again. [28:16]
- Don’t let others’ limited expectations define your destiny. People may try to discourage you or tell you what you can’t do, but God’s calling and power override every human limitation. Go forward in the name of the Lord, knowing that He can use even the smallest stone to bring down the mightiest giant in your life. [32:16]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Praise and Testimony
[02:13] - Youth Day and Acknowledgments
[03:53] - David’s Resolve to Face Goliath
[06:30] - Giants in Our Lives
[07:17] - The Reality and Impact of Bullying
[14:44] - Goliath: The Ultimate Bully
[16:50] - Lessons from David: Identifying Giants
[19:26] - Don’t Run from the Battle
[20:28] - Faith Runs Toward the Problem
[24:03] - Fighting with God’s Weapons
[28:16] - Trusting God’s Power, Not Our Own
[31:29] - Finishing the Job: Giants Must Fall
[32:16] - Don’t Limit Yourself by Others’ Expectations
[34:22] - God’s Names for Every Giant
[35:46] - Jesus: The Ultimate Giant Slayer
[38:54] - God’s Mercy Keeps Us
[41:46] - Invitation to Give Your Giants to Jesus
[45:02] - Living in the Last Days and Final Appeal
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Get Rid of Your Giants”
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### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 17:32-47 (NLT)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Samuel 17:32-37, what reasons did David give Saul for believing he could defeat Goliath?
2. What kinds of “giants” did the sermon mention that people face today, and how are they similar or different from Goliath? [[06:30]]
3. In the story, what weapons did Goliath rely on, and what did David choose to use instead? [[24:03]]
4. How did Saul and the Israelite army respond to Goliath’s challenge, and how was David’s response different? [[15:40]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think David refused Saul’s armor and weapons, and what does this say about the way God wants us to face our own giants? [[24:03]]
2. The sermon says, “You cannot defeat what you refuse to define.” What does it mean to identify your giant, and why is that the first step to overcoming it? [[19:26]]
3. The pastor said, “Faith does not run from problems; it runs toward them.” What does this look like in real life, and why is it important? [[20:28]]
4. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness (like David remembering the lion and the bear) help us face new challenges? [[29:48]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon listed giants like fear, addiction, depression, financial hardship, and unforgiveness. Which of these (or others) have you faced, and how have they challenged your faith or identity in Christ? [[06:30]]
2. Is there a “giant” in your life right now that you have been ignoring or running from? What would it look like to define it and face it with God’s help this week? [[19:26]]
3. The pastor said, “Faith runs toward the problem.” Can you share a time when you chose to face a problem head-on instead of avoiding it? What happened? [[20:28]]
4. David relied on God’s strength, not his own. In what areas of your life are you tempted to use “the world’s weapons” (anger, manipulation, etc.) instead of trusting God? [[24:03]]
5. The sermon warned against letting others’ limited expectations define your destiny. Has someone ever told you that you “can’t” do something God was calling you to do? How did you respond? [[32:16]]
6. The pastor said, “Our giants are temporary, and God’s power is permanent.” How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel overwhelmed? [[34:22]]
7. The message ended with an invitation to give your giants to Jesus. What would it look like for you to give your biggest struggle to Jesus today? Is there a practical step you can take this week to do that? [[41:46]]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite group members to pray for one another, specifically naming the “giants” they want to give to Jesus and asking for faith to face them in God’s strength.
Devotional
Day 1: Identifying and Facing Your Giants
God calls us to recognize the giants in our lives—whether they are fear, addiction, depression, or broken relationships—and not to run from them, but to face them head-on with faith. When we name and confront our giants, we begin the process of overcoming them, trusting that God has given us the authority to triumph in His name. You cannot defeat what you refuse to define, and victory begins with honest acknowledgment and courageous action. [19:26]
1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NLT)
“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win. You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
Reflection: What is one “giant” in your life that you have been avoiding or refusing to name? How can you take a first step today to face it with God’s help?
Day 2: Refusing to Run—Faith Runs Toward the Battle
Faith does not shrink back or run from problems; instead, it moves forward, trusting that God is greater than any obstacle. Like David, we are called to run toward our challenges, not away from them, believing that God’s promises are true even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, and it is by faith that we please God and overcome. [20:28]
Hebrews 11:1,6 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Reflection: Where in your life have you been tempted to run from a difficult situation? What would it look like to run toward it in faith today, trusting God’s strength?
Day 3: Fighting with God’s Weapons, Not the World’s
Victory over our giants does not come from human strength, cleverness, or worldly tools, but from relying on the power of God and the authority of His name. David refused Saul’s armor and instead faced Goliath with a simple stone and unwavering trust in the Lord, showing us that God’s weapons—prayer, faith, and the name of Jesus—are more powerful than anything the world can offer. [24:03]
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Reflection: Are you relying on your own resources or the world’s solutions to fight your battles? How can you intentionally use God’s spiritual weapons today?
Day 4: Trusting in God’s Power—The Battle Is the Lord’s
We must remember that the battles we face ultimately belong to God, not us. When we try to fight in our own strength, we become weary and defeated, but when we surrender the fight to God and trust in His power, He brings victory and deliverance. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the God who has already proven Himself faithful. [28:16]
Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV)
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Reflection: What battle have you been trying to fight in your own strength? What would it look like to surrender it to God and trust Him to fight for you?
Day 5: Giving Your Giants to Jesus
No matter how overwhelming your giants may seem, Jesus is the one who conquers them all—He defeated sin, death, and every stronghold on the cross. When you give your giants to Jesus, you are placing them in the hands of the only One who can truly deliver, heal, and restore. Don’t let your giants keep you from the life and freedom God has for you; bring them to Jesus and let Him set you free. [43:06]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Reflection: What is one burden or “giant” you need to give to Jesus today? How can you practically surrender it to Him and trust Him with the outcome?
Quotes
But I came to remind you this morning. God never intended for his children to live in fear of giants. He has given us the power and the authority to overcome them in the name of the Lord. It's time to stop tolerating what God has called us to triumph over. [00:06:30] (33 seconds)
There's power in that name. There's deliverance in that name. There's strength in that name. One songwriter said, would you be free from the burdens of sin? There's power, wonder-working power. Aren't you glad for the name of Jesus? Because the name of Jesus breaks down strongholds. The name of Jesus casts out demons. I'm grateful for that name. [00:27:33] (30 seconds)
No matter what we go through in this life, the battle is not ours. It belongs to the Lord. That's why David had confidence going to fight Goliath. [00:29:16] (19 seconds)
If God has given you the power through his word and the promises of his word, what makes you think you can't take out the giant in your life? We got to get rid of our giants because our giants don't define us. Our giants can't conquer us because we are God's children. We are the head and not the tail. We are above and not beneath. We are lenders and not borrowers. Everything God promised is ours. [00:30:32] (49 seconds)
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