Hello, I’m Shaneen Clarke, author and speaker. Welcome to God Today. As a young girl, I was asked to preach at the age of 16. Dare To Be Great message was centered around the story of David and Goliath. Without question, every man, woman, child, either has, or will encounter a scenario of facing a mammoth problem where adversity brings success or failure. Many are slain or conquered by this formidable giant. Fearful of noise, he makes all the negative words he uses such as, “You can’t do it. Who do you think you are?” The words grow louder, then he hounds you with bills you can’t pay, and he entices you with habits that rob you of your destiny, or causes disappointments that hold you back. We all face adversity, but how we handle it speaks volumes concerning who we are.
Circumstances can either defeat you or give you the determination to thrive. Often, when we encounter obstacles, we are in such a state of shock. We become immobilized and freeze in the gridlock mode. We may not know what to do, so we do nothing. Then we act impulsively without thinking. As a result, we make poor decisions, wrong choices, made under pressure. Stress can cost time, money, energy, and friends. God’s word tells us “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10. I love this scripture. Today, when difficulties occur, stop and calmly ask yourself, “What can I do about this?” Remember, David did not assume he would defeat Goliath. He knew it. David’s faith enabled him to place his confidence in the Lord without reservation. The same belief can work wonders for you today. Faith always moves to the physical or mental action.
Let’s pray. Dear Lord, I pray for those who are listening, who are facing a mammoth, a Goliath, confronted daily by the giants that they’re faced with, with the formidable voices that hounds them daily, that “you can’t make it.” Lord, I pray that you touch every single listener and give them the faith that David had to stand tall in the midst of the hounding voices daily. Lord, pour out your Spirit and touch every listener now and empower them by your word and your Spirit to stand and face their Goliath. Remember, what you confront with die and what you tolerate will dominate. And I pray that you empower every listener to confront their giant today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.