As someone with a position and authority in many areas of my life, I am truly grateful for the various opportunities that God has provided me. One lesson I have learned throughout my life is that if God has called you for a specific purpose, He will supply everything you need to accomplish it. Philippians 2:13 (ESV) states, “[F]or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” In every opportunity provided to me by God, He has instilled in me the passion, vision, and understanding necessary to fulfill the task at hand. Yet, in all my efforts to achieve the goals He has set forth, I recognize that it is not by my might or power but by God’s spirit living within me” (Zechariah 4:6).

I must confess that there are times when I face mighty “giants,” sometimes at every turn. Occasionally, these giants emerge at the moment when God has confirmed a calling that He has ordained for me. Their supposed purpose is to hinder the opportunities and the higher calling placed on my life. I admit, at times it feels like these giants are winning and I’m in a losing battle. In those moments, the Holy Spirit reminds me of God’s instructions in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Here are four other lessons that God has taught me about these giants:

  1. Giants only appear gargantuan in size when viewed with “selective focus.”There is a feature on my camera called selective focus. It allows me to concentrate on a single prominent object or on the larger expansive picture. When I focus on that single prominent object, the bigger picture becomes a blurred background. Conversely, when I focus on the bigger picture, the single prominent object becomes vague and fuzzy. Think of God as the big picture and the giant as the single object. We must shift our focus to the big picture, which is God and His plans for us.
  2. Giants aren’t necessarily other people.Sometimes, they are ungodly desires fueled by our flesh or motivations that are not inspired by God. Many times, fear and insecurity are giants that paralyze us from moving forward.
  3. Giants keep us humble.Sometimes, we can become conceited and prideful, especially when the fruit of our labor has made our name renowned in various spheres of influence. The Apostle Paul recognized this in his own life. In 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV), he says:

    “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong…”

  4. Giants receive more credit than they deserve.Why do we place our faith in the destruction that these giants can cause instead of in the mighty power of God? Job 42:2 says, “Then Job replied to the Lord: ’I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.’” If God is for me, and no one can pluck me out of His hands and no one can stop Him, why do I believe anyone can stop me specifically when God has called me to fulfill His purpose for my life? God is ALL powerful. 1 John 4:4 says, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I am in the hands of the all-powerful, true, and living God, who is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17). Therefore, I can walk with confidence, knowing that I am protected and secure. No giant is more powerful than the true and living God.

I’ve learned a great deal about giants. God consistently reminds me that He is the giver of opportunity:

  • God gives and takes away (Job 1:21).
  • God moves mighty mountains out of our path (Zechariah 4:7).
  • God opens doors that no one can shut (Revelation 3:8).

If God has given you an opportunity, understand that through His guidance, the power of the Holy Spirit, and constant prayer, “[h]e who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

God is stronger than any giant, whether real or perceived. He alone is the giver of opportunity.

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