Wednesday's Wisdom - Facing Your Giants Edition

For those of you that follow me regularly and actually know me know that I have been facing a giant recently. The last four weeks have consisted of an ER visit, multiple doctor visits, blood tests, etc, etc.

For those of you that are just now starting to follow along with my blog check back to my last couple of posts to get caught up on my recent health issues :)

Let me tell you, when you are down and out with something the Devil is going to use that opportunity to kick you down even more, he's going to steal your joy, basically he's going to everything in his power to do what he can to make you feel worse than you already do! He likes when we feel defeated! He likes when there's this BIG giant staring down on us making us feel bad for ourselves, and sometimes even causing us to lose faith in that the Lord can see the big picture and that He is going to work everything out for our good!

Just so you all know I am wagging my finger at myself while writing this out to you guys ;)

Last Friday seemed to be especially hard for me. I was dealing with many anxious and negative thoughts. I was looking up at this big giant staring down on me. My dad encouraged me to get into The Word, which I will be honest with you, I haven't been doing since I have been sick. He suggested I download Alistair Begg's Truth for Life app on my phone. (Follow the link to visit his sight. He's an awesome preacher.) If you're the smart phone type I highly recommend you download his Truth for Life app as well! The sermon podcast I listened to was entitled, "Seeing What David Saw". It was the second part of a two part series and based off the scripture found in 1 Samuel 17, which hopefully most of you know is the story of David and Goliath.

Alistair preached on how David could only see the part of the picture that we, as humans can see. He wasn't able to see the big picture! The big picture that God can see! God can see the ENTIRE picture! How awesome is that? That even though we are faced with many giants throughout life, we only see what is right in front of us. We can't see above and beyond!

But what it... what if we tried looking at our giants like how God may see them?

Romans 8:28- And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

See that, He promises us in His word that He works everything out for our good! Maybe it's not going to be in the time frame we wanted. Like for example, I have to wait almost two weeks until we can take the next step in my diagnosis because they can't do a breath test until you haven't had any antacids in your system for two weeks. When I left the doctor's office this morning I was a tad discouraged and frustrated, but after a visit from a sweet friend who prayed over me, another sweet friend and her beautiful daughters bringing me flowers, and now as I'm writing this to you all... maybe God is going to grow me in these next two weeks, I may be a little uncomfortable but that only means I will have to lean on Him more, keep my eyes focused on Him, and use this as a time to grow more in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I have wanted to mope around and look at this recent health trial as a giant, but maybe I should be looking at it as a blessing. Unfortunately, due to me not being able to be dependable I had to step down from my nannying position. So now, I have all the time in the world. Why am I going to continue to sulk when I can be in the Word and nourishing my body spiritually!

Friday evening after I spent time listening to Alistair's sermon I flipped my TV on, and to my still a tad slightly "Negative Nellie" dismay.. Facing The Giants was on. Which just so happens to be one of my most favorite movies. If you haven't seen it you need to run now... GO! Find it on Netflix, Amazon Prime... and watch it NOW! For those of you that maybe haven't seen it I don't want to spoil any of it for you, but for those of you that have, you can agree with me on how it couldn't have come at a more perfect time, right??

I will end on these last two quick notes...

This guy, is my AMAZING Uncle. He is facing a giant, but he doesn't let it bring him down. This man lives everyday with a smile on his face and his head held high. He is definitely my inspiration and an incredible role model to me.

We have been standing in faith the last year the God sees the big picture, He sees Uncle Dave's giant, and we KNOW He is still in control!! 

And on one last note...

Maybe I told a little fib when I said I wasn't going to put in any Facing The Giants spoilers, but this song and the movie go hand in hand. I didn't watch this whole music video, but I hope it doesn't give too much of the movie away! :)

I feel like most of this blog post I was basically writing to myself... haha, but hopefully some of you out there will be blessed by it as well! 

By the way, when you are facing those giants in your life, and that fear starts to set it... don't let it. Did you know God says 365 times in His Word, "Do not fear."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's one "Do not fear" for every day of the year ;)

<3 Ashley XO