Prayer of Thomas Merton

This prayer was printed on the front page of the bulletin of the church I attend. With everything that's happened over the last few months - and in some cases, still happening - the timing could not have been more perfect (thank you, Lord!). I hope it will be an encouragement to you, as well.


My Lord God, 

I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. 

Amen. 

 "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." Psalm 37:23-24

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Don't Let the Song Go Out of Your Life

Don't let the song go out of your life

Though it chance sometimes to flow

In a minor strain; it will blend again

With the major tone you know.

What though shadows rise to obscure life's skies,

And hide for a time the sun,

The sooner they'll lift and reveal the rift,

If you let the melody run.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Though the voice may have lost its trill,

Though the tremulous note may die in your throat,

Let it sing in your spirit still.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Let it ring in the soul while here;

And when you go hence, 'twill follow you thence,

And live on in another sphere.

- from Streams in the Desert

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Decisions, Decisions . . .

"Life is full of decisions."

The older I get, the more I'm learning about the reality of that statement.

We make decisions every day. We make decisions about routine, day-to-day living activities: what time we will get up in the morning, what we will wear, what we will eat at meal time(s), where we will go, what we will do with the day ahead of us, etc.

Every day, we make choices and decisions about our relationships. We can decide to pursue certain relationships - romantic or otherwise - or to let them "fall by the wayside," so to speak. We choose to respond kindly or unkindly to that nagging coworker. We choose to be respectful or disrespectful to our parents and others in authority over us.

If you're of-age to pursue opportunities for higher education, you have to decide which college, university, or trade/tech school to attend, which major/training program to pursue, which classes to take, which extra-curricular activities to get involved with, etc.

For those of us who have completed college/occupational school, we have even more decisions before us. We must decide whether or not we should continue furthering our education at graduate school, where we should live, which field/career to pursue, which job(s)/position(s) to accept . . . the further I go down this "after-college path," the bigger my list grows.

If you're anything like me, making these decisions and choices can be daunting. You don't want to make a wrong decision. You don't want to make a mistake. You don't want to waste your life doing something other than what God wants you to do. This uncertainty can cause worry and anxiety to creep into our hearts.

I'm not one of those people who has "always known God wanted [them] to be [fill in the blank]." I was always the kid who had a different "I wanna be a [fill in the blank]" every time I was asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Frankly, I'm still not sure what God wants me to be. Looking back on the 21 years God has graciously given me, I see some good decisions/choices, and I see plenty of bad decisions/choices of every kind. I see how all of those decisions/choices have affected those around me as well as myself. I also see how God has taken those decisions/choices - especially the bad ones - and worked them out for good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:28

That verse gives me a tremendous amount of comfort. No matter how badly I may mess up, God has promised that He will always work out everything - every wrong choice, every bad decision, everything - for my good and His glory.

When it comes to any decision - especially a "major" one, like a career path, a marriage partner, etc. -  many of us (myself included) are often anxious about making the wrong choice. I catch myself spending quite a big of time weighing the options in my head. "If I were to choose this career, this might happen. If I move to this place, this opportunity might present itself. But if I do this instead of that, I might miss this opportunity . . ." Sometimes I drive myself crazy thinking this way. I like to know how things are going to turn out. Part of me would love to know where I'm going to be in five years so I can know which "roads" to take, which decisions to make to get there. Sometimes I wish God would just give me an itinerary of my life so I know what to expect, which pitfalls to avoid, etc.

But then I stop myself, and am reminded of what the Scriptures say about this:

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

Psalm 37:4-5 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 

Psalm 37:23-24 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 

Proverbs 16:3

 So many times, I let myself get so caught up in the "little picture"  that I lose sight of the "bigger picture" for which God created me: I was created to glorify God. That is my overarching purpose for being on this earth. According to Scripture, glorifying God means that I honor God by obeying His Word and by loving to my neighbor, those whom God places in my life. If I'm truly seeking to honor God, to delight myself in Him, to trust Him with my whole heart, to commit everything I am, everything I do, everything I have to bringing glory to Him, I am fulfilling my purpose in life. If I'm doing that, God will see to it that I'm in the right place at the right time as far as my secondary purpose (career/occupation, etc.) is concerned. It sounds easy in principle, but it's a hard thing for us to do in practice, given our sinful nature.

Don't misunderstand me: I'm not saying we shouldn't seek to find our secondary purpose in life. We should certainly want to find that out, but we shouldn't get worked up about it if we don't know what it is as soon as we would like. I often catch myself feeling anxious about this. I don't like surprises. I like knowing what's going to happen. Not knowing exactly what my career/occupation should be has been a test of my faith. God has been good and gracious to lead me one step at a time, just as He promised.

As I mentioned before, God has a way of taking our bad decisions and wrong choices and turning the mess that we make with those into something beautiful. Thinking on that truth reminds me of so many stories from my own life, others' lives, Bible stories, etc. One story in particular sticks out from the rest. If you'll permit me, I'd like to share it with you.

There's a scene in The Fellowship of the Ring (the first book/film of The Lord of the Rings trilogy) that really speaks to me on this subject. (**side note** If you aren't familiar with the story, please forgive me if this illustration is a bit confusing.)

In this scene, the Fellowship has been forced to take a detour and face the long dark of Moria in order to continue their journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring. Frodo, worn out and discouraged, opens his heart to Gandalf.

Courtesy of mckellen.com

Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. 

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us . . . " That phrase really speaks to me. If we decide to glorify God, we have made a wise decision of what to do with the time that is given to us. No matter how bad we think we might mess up, if we choose to wholeheartedly delight ourselves in God and commit ourselves to bringing Him glory, we cannot go wrong. There are so many stories - in the Bible and elsewhere - that illustrate how God can take our sinful mistakes and turn them into something beautiful. Reverting back to The Lord of the Rings for a moment, there would be no story at all had Bilbo not "messed up" and brought the Ring to the Shire.

God knew the choices we would make (and will make) before the foundation of the world. Nothing takes Him by surprise. That truly is "an encouraging thought."

Perhaps, like me, your future is a bit uncertain. You aren't sure which path to take next. Instead of being anxious, let's choose to trust God with our future. He wants to best for our lives. He knows where He wants us. The best place for us to be is in the center of His will. His will is for us to glorify Him. If we're doing that, we are fulfilling His purpose for placing us on this earth.

Focus on that, my friend. Take comfort in God's promises for your future. He will never let you down.

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Hold On Until the End

Do you ever have those moments where you're reading something - a passage of Scripture, a devotional book, a quote book, etc. - and God brings your attention to a particular verse or sentence that tells you exactly what you needed to hear at that particular moment?

That happened to me just a few minutes ago.

I was reading in one of my all-time favorite devotional books, Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. I always enjoy reading each day's short devotional - they are chock-full of Biblical truth and spiritually refreshing.

Today's devotional was entitled, "Hold On Until the End." I have been a bit frazzled -- alright, more than a bit frazzled about some situations where I have felt like throwing my hands up, throwing in the towel, giving up . . . you get the idea. This devotional was exactly what I needed to hear, right at the moment when I read it (yet another reason I don't believe in coincidences).

If you'll permit me, I would like to share part of this short devotional with you in the hope that it will minister to your heart as well. (No copyright infringement is intended.)

Hold On Until the End

"It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. 'Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.' 'So run, that ye may obtain.' "

In the bitter waves of woe

Beaten and tossed about

By the sullen winds that blow

From the desolate shores of doubt,

Where the anchors that faith has cast

Are dragging in the gale,

I am quietly holding fast

To the things that cannot fail.

And fierce though the fiends may fight,

And long though the angels hide,

I know that truth and right

Have the universe on their side;

And that somewhere beyond the stars

Is a love that is better than fate.

When the night unlocks her bars

I shall see Him--and I will wait.

Washington Gladden

It's so tempting to give up when you're so close to the end of a trial, a spiritual struggle, or other difficulty that must be fought through. I constantly struggle with wanting to give up - and, all too often, actually giving up - when I can "see the light at the end of the tunnel," so to speak. I feel like I've already fought so long and so hard to rid myself of that besetting sin, to free myself from a bad habit, etc., that I just can't do it anymore, even though I'm right at the finish line. That would be like an Olympic athlete stopping and pulling himself or herself out of the race a few paces from the finish line, mere steps away from victory. I don't know about you, but that mental image is heartbreaking to me. That's exactly what happens when I focus on the stormy situation, the pain the situation is causing, etc., and I pull myself out of the spiritual race God has called me to run.

During the World War II Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day"), a detachment of British forces were ordered to seize and hold a particular bridge until reinforcements arrived. They knew before they landed that they would be vastly outnumbered by the occupying German forces. When the officer of the detachment asked how long they were expected to hold the bridge, the answer was, "hold until relieved. Hold until relieved." And that's exactly what he did - his detachment took the bridge and held it until the reinforcements arrived to relieve them.

Hold on until the end. Don't quit. "It is the last step that wins."

Keep your hand on the plow! Hold on!

Langston Hughes

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Hebrews 3:14

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Examining Your Responses

Just as there are times of joy, there are also times if suffering during the course of life. You may have suffered abuse, abandonment, or rejection. Perhaps you are hurting over a failed marriage or failed relationships/friendships. You may think God has forgotten you, or doesn't care about you. Your heart has grown cold, angry, perhaps bitter, toward God. Psalm 31:7 says,

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities.

David didn't rejoice because he was suffering. He was able to rejoice because he knew God was there and would always be with him.

Life has not given you what you expected. You want more. The world tells you that you deserve more. Proverbs 21:2 says,

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 

 Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He wants to keep you from facing the truth about your unbiblical responses to the hurts you have faced, because denial keeps you in bondage to him. When you live in denial, you cannot know God intimately or enjoy fellowship with Him. Satan's mission is accomplished.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. {John 8:32}

 If you are willing to face the truth, the truth will set you free - free from your sinful responses to circumstances in your life.

Psalm 142 describes a trying time in David's life.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.  

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.  

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.  

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.  

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.  

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

David was hiding in a cave because he was being pursued by Saul. You are constantly being pursued by Satan and your fleshly nature, but you do not have to give in.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. {Romans 13:14}

David was in desperate need. He was honest about his feelings and his need, but his focus was entirely on God. He was able to have joy in the midst of distressing circumstances because his focus was entirely on God.

{ Stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'real' life. They are precisely one's real life. - C.S. Lewis }

Have you lived in denial about your unbiblical responses? What truth do you need to face about your unbiblical responses? Don't put it off any longer - make those responses right today so your relationship with God can be restored and you can live with the joy of the Lord in your heart!

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Letting Go

There's an old Gaelic proverb that says, "Nothing can get into a closed fist." It is literally impossible to get anything into a closed fist (if you're skeptical, try it). This "closed fist" mentality is a daily struggle for many of us. It can manifest itself in many different forms, the most common being worry. Worry is, essentially, a lack of faith and/or a distrust of God's ability to handle circumstances. Whenever we raise the "closed fist" of worry, we're telling God that we don't believe He knows what's best.

The reality is, God does know best.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. {Isaiah 55:8-9}

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. {Jeremiah 29:11}

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. {Romans 8:28} 

Letting go doesn't mean giving up; it means having enough trust in God's plan to move on. It's one of the hardest things for us to do. Starting at birth, we grasp on to anything we can get our hands on, and hold on as if we will cease to exist when we let go. We feel that letting go is giving up, quitting, and that, as we all know, is cowardly. But letting go isn't a sign of weakness or cowardice; it's an exercise of the strength that faith and trust in God's sovereignty provides. It shows that you believe God is true to His word.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. {Proverbs 3:5-6}

Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:6-7}

 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. {I Peter 5:7}

 Perhaps you are facing financial troubles, health problems, or other difficult circumstances. God will take care of you. He has a plan, even if you can't always understand why He is allowing you to experience those difficulties. He will take care of you.


Perhaps you are burdened for someone close to you who has drifted far from God and is living in sin. As a brother or sister in Christ, you are to do everything you can to help them understand their need for change and restoration (see Matthew 18 and Galatians 6). If you have already taken the proper steps for confrontation, and they remain steadfast in their rebellion against God, you have to let them go and trust that God will work in their life without your intervention. 


Letting go of someone we love is hard. We often worry that letting them go will be perceived as giving up on them, or not caring enough to keep trying, because we don't want them to think that we don't love them. But letting go means having enough faith to let that person go, trusting that God is big enough to take care of them, no matter how hard you might have to fight yourself to do so. A friend of mind put it this way: "You don't stop loving them, but you have to let them go. Because you love them, you have to have enough strength to let them go and put them completely in God's hands." Show your love by praying for them. Give them over to God - He will take care of them.

Lay all your problems, cares, and worries at the throne of God, and leave them there. Open your closed fist, give everything you're holding on to over to Him, and don't take them back. Ask the Lord to increase your faith and trust in His promises. Keep your hands open so He can give and take people and circumstances in your life as He sees best. 

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Take a Stand

"Vashti Refuses the King's Summons"
by Edwin Long

During my last semester of college, I was required to do an in-depth study of a piece of art as part of the requirements for an art appreciation class. As I wandered the halls of the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery, I came upon a painting entitled "Vashti Refuses the King's Summons" by Edwin Long. This painting depicts the moment after Queen Vashti has refused the King's request for her to appear before him and his guests at a royal orgy (see Esther 1 for the whole story).

"Vashti" is an absolutely stunning painting to see in person - the small photo reproduction in this post doesn't do it justice. Long painted this piece in such a realistic way I half expected the figures to step out of the frame! I was so taken with it that I purchased a small copy to add to my art collection (the original was a bit out of my price range ;) ).

As I was studying "Vashti" and thinking about the story that inspired it, I was reminded that doing the right thing is usually not easy or popular. Not much is know about Vashti apart from this story (to my knowledge, at least). From what little we know of her, it is obvious that she wasn't afraid to take a stand for what she knew was right.

{ What's popular isn't always right. What's right isn't always popular. }

Vashti was the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, and, consequently, the Queen of Persia. From what we can tell from Scripture, Ahasuerus wasn't the most morally upright man of the day. He had a problem with lust and drunkenness, and often combined the two by hosting royal orgies. Orgies were parties where immoral behavior and drunkenness were encouraged among those in attendance. This was the sort of function at which a drunk Ahasuerus called for Vashti to appear. In ancient Persia, the King's word was law - even his smallest wish. The penalty for failing to comply with Ahasuerus' laws/wishes was anything from exile to death, depending on his mood. Vashti knew the risks and chose to take a stand in spite of the very real possibility that she could be executed for doing so. What a courageous woman!

Vashti lost her place as Queen, but she kept her character intact. Her courage in the face of such formidable consequences is commendable and inspiring.

Don't be afraid to take a stand for righteousness. It might not be easy, popular, or comfortable, but we are called to do it.

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Overcoming Shame

Shame is the feeling or belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you. Feelings of shame can rule your life if you have been influenced by hurtful, unhealthy relationships. Shame can consume you when you focus on other people's negative opinions of you to the point where you believe them over God's opinion of you.

God created us with the emotion of shame to help us live by biblically based standards. God wants you to feel shame when you choose to violate His standards. That's how He created us. You should feel shame when you lie, cheat, steal, hurt someone, or act immorally. However, don't confuse shame with guilt. Guilt is legitimate shame designed to bring us to repentance. Shame is a distorted form of guilt where we feel  responsible for the sinful actions of others. Perhaps someone belittled you, violated you, threatened you, or blamed you for a something for which you were not responsible. Sadly, most people who have experienced those types of situations assume responsibility for the other person's sin and carry the shame of that sin for years (sometimes indefinitely). 

{ Guilt is about what you have done. Shame is about who you are. }

Shame causes feelings of embarrassment about things that should not cause embarrassment. Some examples of this would be:

• For being sick or hurting.
• For being alive.
• For needing to talk to someone about a problem.
• For wanting to feel loved and appreciated.
• For wanting to feel significant. 
• For needing to ask for help.
• For letting someone help you.

Shame often leads to depression. Depression results when we meditate on the circumstances of our lives in an unbiblical way. 

How is depression fueled by shame?

• Shame tells you you are guilty.
• Shame causes you to feel you have to "work off the dirt" or the weight of guilt over sin that wasn't yours to begin with.
• Shame causes self-pity.
• Shame takes your joy.
• Shame brings hostility and bitterness.
• Shame hinders your view of God.
• Shame causes you to reject relationships, even your relationship with God, because you feel you are not worthy of love or acceptance. 

God gives special promises in His Word about relief from shame.

Let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. {Psalm 25:3}

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. {Psalm 34:4-5}

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame... {Isaiah 54:4} 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {Hebrews 12:2} 

Crucifixion was the most painful and humiliating form of execution in ancient times. When Christ died on the cross, He despised the shame that kind of death brought. He rejected it because He knew He was innocent. He can help you reject the shame, the depression, the false guilt that comes from shouldering the burden of sins that are not yours to bear.

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Facing the Giants

"David" by Michelangelo

"Teenage Boy Kills Local Terror, Goliath." I imagine that would have been the headline article for the newspapers in Israel when David killed Goliath. (I realize newspapers didn't exist in David's day, just my overactive imagination at work here. ;) ) How remarkable that a teenage shepherd boy took down a nearly 10-foot tall military powerhouse that had the armies of Israel quaking in their sandals for well over a month (40 days)! I think it's safe to assume that no one other than David could have imagined how the encounter between the boy with a sling and the giant with the full trappings of war would conclude.  (You can find the full account of this remarkable story in I Samuel 17.)

While it's unlikely that any of us will ever confront a physical giant like Goliath, many (if not all) of us face spiritual giants that are just as formidable and deadly. There names are Fear, Doubt, Temptation, and Pride.

{Fear} This giant is aroused by danger, evil, pain, concern, or anxiety. It hinders us from facing difficult circumstances with faith. It prevents us from doing the right or "hard" thing because of the possibility of failure or rejection.

{Doubt} This giant holds us captive when we question or are uncertain about promises God has given us in His Word. Doubting means that we consider God's Word questionable or unreliable.

{Temptation} This giant rears its ugly head when we are slack in guarding our minds, bodies, and souls from the alluring siren calls of the world to engage in sinful activities or thought patterns that are contrary to the way we have been called to live.

{Pride} This giant comes on the scene when we have an unbiblical view of ourselves, high or low. We can become overly confident in our own abilities or consumed with our failures; both are expressions of pride.

How are we to fight against such formidable giants?

Fight Fear with Faith. Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:3-9; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3-4; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 54:4; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.

Fight Doubt with Truth. Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 25:5; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 17:20; Luke 18:27; John 8:31-32; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 4:25; Philippians 4:13; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 1:8. 

Fight Temptation with Purity. Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 7:25-26; Matthew 5:27-29; Matthew 26:41; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12-14; Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 2:18; James 1:12-14; James 4:7; 1 John 2:14-17. 

Fight Pride with Humility. Deuteronomy 12:4;  Obadiah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 147:6; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:18-19; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 21:4; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 25:9; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 23:9; Daniel 5:20; Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 14:7-11; Luke 22:24-27; Mark 9:35; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:1-11; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:2-6.

Ask the Lord to help you identify areas where these giants have taken hold in your life. As He brings those areas to light, it can be discouraging to see how easy it is for them to creep in and take us captive. Just remember: the same God who enabled David to defeat Goliath is the same God who will help you bring down the giants in your life, as well.

"David with the Head of Goliath" by Caravaggio 

Please comment below: What giants have you faced in your life? How has the Lord enabled you to defeat them? What verses have helped you and/or encouraged you in this process?

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