The Christian Working Woman

When you look in Scripture, you can find some very stunning examples of people who had pockets of fear—and I’m talking about some great saints of old. For example, Abraham had a pocket of fear about being killed. Here is a man described in Hebrews 11 as a man of great faith. God called him from a prosperous and comfortable life and said, Go to a land I will show you, and Abraham simply obeyed. He packed up and went to a place he had never been before, leaving his family and familiar surroundings behind. Even though he did not know where he was going, he went. That took great faith. Would you be able to do what he did? He also was able to believe God could give him a son even though his wife was barren and they both were past the age of childbearing. That took tremendous faith. What really marks Abraham as a great man of faith was his willingness to offer that miracle son as a sacrifice because he believed God could raise the dead if necessary. Every time I read that story, I shake my head at this man of incredible faith. Yet, when he was traveling in Egypt, on his journey to the Promised Land, he revealed a pocket of fear. Abraham was afraid the Egyptians would kill him because of his beautiful wife, Sarah, whom they would want for their own. In fear, he told Sarah to tell less than the truth—to say she was his sister—to keep them from killing him. You’ll find this story in Genesis 12, and as I read it recently, I thought, “Abraham, what in the world was your problem? You believed God in all these huge areas, but you didn’t believe God could keep you and Sarah alive in Egypt? Where was your great faith?” Abraham had a pocket of fear, and it led him into sin. It began to dawn on me we all have these pockets of fear. We can have great faith in some areas, at some times, and then our faith falls apart the next day or the next hour or when we round the next corner. Paul wrote to the Romans: For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry. ‘Abba, Father’ (Romans 8:15). Whatever you are fearful about, it’s not coming from the Lord. Of course, we have an enemy who loves to scare us to death about anything he can, because when we are fearful, it means we’re not trusting God. What is your pocket of fear? Let’s look at some of the more common ones. Is money your pocket of fear? Are you fearful of not having enough money, of losing your job, of losing your house, of going bankrupt, or of not being able to afford what you need or want? Frankly, this was a pocket of fear for me. Satan would try to get me thinking, “What if something happens? How will you pay your bills? You could lose your house, all your assets, your retirement money, and everything you own. You could go through all that in no time flat. What in the world will you do then?” That was a pocket of fear for me. Here’s what I learned to do with this pocket of fear, when it started to possess me. I would say to myself, “Okay, suppose all those things happen. Imagine the worst: No money, no income, no house, no savings, no retirement. You’d survive; somebody in the family or some close friend would take you in until you could get on your feet again. It would not destroy you.” Then I would make myself claim a promise from the Bible. This was an act of my will, not my emotions. Pretty soon I began to laugh at myself for allowing my thoughts to go to this pocket of fear. It was a stronghold that held me for far too long. I’m so glad by God’s grace I emptied that pocket of fear. Some good promises to claim for this pocket of fear are: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they (Matthew 6:25-26)? And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus...

Extravagance is generally considered an undesirable trait. It’s defined as excessive, wasteful, exorbitant. Yet, when I look at God, I see extravagance as one of his attributes. I ask you to consider with me how excessive God is in his dealings with you. Think about his mercy, which keeps you from having to pay the due penalty for your sins. The Bible tells us his mercies are new every day, and they last forever. He is just piling up mercy upon mercy each day, extravagant mercy, given to you without charge. Then there’s his grace, which goes beyond mercy to give you undeserved blessings, and Scripture tells us he makes all grace abound to us in all things at all times, giving us all we need, so that we will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Abundant, rich, extravagant grace. As for God’s forgiveness, he goes beyond forgiving and separates your sins from you as far as the east is from the west, then proceeds to forget. Can you forgive and forget? No, that’s God’s kind of forgiveness—excessive, extravagant. And think of this, not only do we have a God who allows us to come to him, we have a God who seeks for us. Can you imagine that? Then there’s the extravagance of his creation. The unending blend of colors, the profuse variety and quantity of flowers, the breathtaking sunsets, the fragrant and delicious smells, the lush beauty of nature. God is absolutely lavish in his creation. And then, not only are we allowed to worship him, we can call him Abba Father and come boldly to his throne. Not only can we accept him as our Savior, but he also comes to abide in us. The abundance of God’s love toward us is beyond our mental comprehension. When we consider God’s extravagance toward us, as an old song says, how can we do less than live for him completely—after all he’s done for us.

I want to talk about Ichabod. How would you like to be named Ichabod? It’s not a lovely name, is it, but what it means is even worse. Ichabod means “The glory is departed.” In 1 Samuel 4 we read Phinehas’ wife named their son Ichabod, because the glory of God had departed from Israel. As I thought about that, I wondered if my name is ever Ichabod. In our vernacular today, we might say, “Are you a has-been?” Could it ever be said of me that the glory God has given to me through Jesus Christ is no longer present in my life? When Phinehas’ wife named her son Ichabod, it was because of the sin of Israel. They had disobeyed the Lord, and the ark of God had been captured. The ark was where God met them, where they talked to him, and where they received guidance. And their enemies had captured it because of their sin and disobedience. We can be spiritual “has-beens” when our lives are full of disobedience. I can think of so many Christians I know who used to be mightily used of God. It could be said of them that they have been this or that for God, but now the glory has departed. Through sin and disobedience, Ichabod is now their name. Could it ever be said of us that we have been in the past a person of love and compassion, but it’s no longer true? Have we lost the zeal we once had for Jesus? As I thought about this, I stopped and asked God if any of his glory has departed from me because of my lack of love or zeal? Have I become a “has-been,” an Ichabod? In Christ we are given the right to be called the sons of God. That is glorious. We become the righteousness of Christ and are partakers of his holiness. That’s really incredible. And yet, we can lose the glory of all we have received from God if our lives are not continually in close contact with the Lord. It takes a daily commitment, a disciplined life of time in God’s Word, an absolute set of our will to obey God and live by his principles, regardless. Without that, we can expect the glory to depart. No, for sure none of us would want to be called Ichabod—the glory has departed. Is God’s glory still evident in your life to all who know you? If not, you can be restored to that original glory. Don’t let your name be Ichabod.

Stop and think: Where in Scripture do you find the term self-esteem? How about self-love? I’ll save you some trouble; you won’t find those terms in Scripture. They, along with self-actualization and a few others, are buzzwords of our contemporary society. Of course, there are many words and phrases we use today which are not used in Scripture, and vice-versa, so the issue is the meaning and philosophy that has grown up around those terms. Scripture gives a different perspective of these self issues. The only mention of self-love in the Bible is that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, which simply assumes we will naturally love ourselves. It is not a directive to love ourselves. There aren’t too many people who don’t truly love themselves quite well. Self-esteem is the idea of having a high regard for one’s self. While we should know clearly that we are important to God, we are valuable, and we are special and worthwhile because God has declared that to be true, we cannot lose sight of the truth that our value is not found in ourselves. I think we tend to attribute too much to poor self-esteem, and thereby believe if we can think better of ourselves, our problems will go away. Trying to feel good about something that by nature is not good, is a losing battle. That’s a different mindset than having respect for who we are in Christ and therefore appreciating your “self.” Maybe self-appreciation is a better term for us than self-esteem. The subtleties between the two are important. Scripture teaches us our best self-efforts are like filthy rags to God. I think of Philippians 2, which says we should esteem or consider others more important than ourselves. Paul wrote to the Romans that our old self was crucified with Christ. Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. That’s the biblical view of self we’ve somehow lost in our humanistic society where self has been elevated to the highest place of importance. As Christians, we need to have our minds re-shaped into biblical molds. The Christian’s identity search should end forever with the incredible realization that we are, through his grace, now called the children of God. Amazing, absolutely overwhelming. That self-identity will carry us until we see him face to face.

It has almost become a cliche to hear people say they’re seeking to know “who they are.” This lack of identity and purpose is real when we do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you don’t know God has created you, you are important to him, and your life has significance in his sight, then it’s easy to see why you would be searching for a meaningful identity. However, I see that same search in the lives of many Christians. Indeed, there were some years in my life that were consumed with a desire to find myself and know myself. If it is true that our union with Christ brings meaning and purpose into our lives, why are so many Christians still looking for meaning? Here are my thoughts. I believe the humanistic philosophy of self-focus has penetrated our Christian teaching and caused us to look at ourselves and to ourselves for answers; caused us to leave biblical principles and follow human psychological theories to find this meaning and purpose; caused us to place far too much emphasis on the self-issues of the day. You can see how this could happen, because certainly the gospel is the good news that each individual is important to God; therefore, teachings which magnify the individual can easily be mistaken to have some biblical basis. There is a distinct line between the value of individuals and the magnification of self. The “self” issues of today’s philosophy are very alluring. But when we are consumed with self, camouflaged as it might be by words which sound good to our ears, we are trapped into a self-focus, which can be very confusing as well as damaging. Friends, you won’t find a self-focus taught in Scripture. The only hyphenated self-word I’ve found in any Bible translation is self-control, which is quite different from self-love, self-confidence, self-actualization, etc. Our identity is not found in making ourselves feel better about ourselves. The knowledge and esteem we need for ourselves come as by-products of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. There is abundant evidence all around us that self-magnification hasn’t worked.

It is very common to hear people say they’re trying to “find themselves,” to discover their identity. As I’ve attempted to understand exactly what that means, it seems to be a result of the self-focus, which is indicative of today’s humanistic, post-modern society. And it also seems to be a way of expressing our innermost need to know our individual lives do have some meaning, that we have a purpose in being here. We’re not some gigantic coincidence of nature. That the joy and pain and happiness and suffering and peace and turmoil we experience are all part of some understandable plan. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1 that every person is born with a God-consciousness: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:20). Everyone knows instinctively there has to be a Master Planner, and our existence has to have more meaning than a haphazard coincidence. However, until we know God through Jesus Christ, that master plan remains a mystery. What else is there for a person who doesn’t know Christ except to try anything they can to discover who they are, why they are, and what their existence means. The great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is we all belong here. No Christ-follower needs to go around looking for an identity. God’s Word gives us clear answers. Once you’ve been born from above, you know you are a child of God, created by him in an orderly, planned process. He knows and cares for you individually. You are important to him; therefore, your life has meaning. As you go out into the world each day, be aware of the people around you who are trying to find who they are because they don’t know Jesus. Be ready to share with them this great and glorious truth, that our lives have meaning when we are rightly related to God through Jesus.

Galatians tells us exactly what the fruit of the Spirit is. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). To answer the question of what it means to “be the fruit,” I want to look at each of them and offer some suggestions of how you implement this fruit in your life. It is the fruit of the Spirit, so obviously it must be a Spirit-empowered endeavor. But it won’t just happen unless we as disciples of Jesus Christ determine to “be the fruit” each day. Let’s start with that first one: Love. Here’s what someone wrote, and I think it is a great way to be the fruit of love: True love needs a personal touch. Here’s a way to show people you love them in an unexpected way. Get a package of blank greeting cards and make a list of friends and family—especially the ones you don’t see often. Write them a short note that shares how much you appreciate them. Send your cards out at random far away from any holidays or birthday. Let the little love note surprise them! Now, that is a practical way to be the fruit of love. And cards have a greater impact than email, so spend a little money, buy a few stamps, and surprise some people with words of love. Next is joy. Joy should be the trademark of a Christian. When you are joyful, your strength increases, because the joy of the Lord is your strength. There is so much negativity and bad news in our world today that if you’re not careful, you can let the enemy steal your joy. That’s one of his favorite tactics. What’s been stealing your joy? Or I might ask, who has been stealing your joy? Whatever or whoever it is, realize it is a satanic flaming arrow coming your way from the enemy, so put on your full armor and refuse to lose your joy. How? Sing good songs all day long. Find the humor in your day. Laugh a lot; laughter is incredibly good for you. Look for reasons to be happy, to be joyful. Now we come to peace. Jesus said he would give us his peace, his unique peace that is strong enough for the toughest circumstances. Have you ever gone to Jesus in prayer and said, “Please give me the peace you promised. I need peace.” I heard a statistic 40% of all people in our country today are in some kind of depression or despair. Have you noticed how many people are searching for some kind of peace? Remember, Jesus’ peace is not like the peace the world offers. That peace is a band aid; it seeks to make you feel better with a temporary pain killer, but it just makes things worse. Peter wrote we should seek peace and pursue it. Maybe you need to learn to take peace breaks when your day is going south. Just stop, find an alone spot, refocus your mind on Jesus, quote a verse to yourself and pray for the peace Jesus promised to give you. Pursue peace; go for it. Be the fruit—be peaceful! Forbearance is next in this list of the fruit of the Spirit. We call it patience, and it can be one of the most difficult fruits for us to practice, at least it is for me. But there are so many opportunities in your day to practice patience, and patience takes practice. Pick one situation where you find it particularly difficult to be patient, and start working on it. When you go to the store, stand in the longest line to check out and make yourself wait. Talk to yourself, like: “Just cool it. This is not a big deal. You can wait a few minutes—it doesn’t change your life.” Something like that. That is bringing your thoughts into captivity and learning to re-direct your thought patterns. And it is a good way to discipline yourself; to be the fruit—to be patient. Maybe you could use driving as a way for you to practice patience. Be kind to bad or slow drivers. Don’t yell or call other drivers names when you can’t get into the lane you need to. Keep at it until you see a difference in the way you drive and how you feel when you step out of the car. Go, be the fruit! Kindness is next,...

I’m examining, “Can this job be saved?” Here’s the last situation to consider. Your manager doesn’t know the job, the company, the product, or the customers as well as you do. He is a young man recently promoted to the position, but with little experience or skills to do the job right. He makes a great many mistakes in dealing with customers, violates some company policies (through ignorance), and irritates other departments because of his lack of knowledge and expertise. Frequently he asks you to bail him out, but he never seems to learn and makes the same mistakes over and over. You realize the department morale is rapidly deteriorating, and you’ve lost some good customers because of his ineptness. You feel strongly something needs to be done for the good of the company. What should you do? This is not an easy question, because you’re not in authority in this situation, right? And for you to do anything to correct it, it seems you would have to go over your boss’s head to higher management. Is that the right thing to do? It’s a risky thing to do, to say the least. But on the other hand, for the good of the company and its customers, don’t you have a responsibility to do whatever you can to correct this situation? Jesus told his disciples, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). In this situation I believe that means trying to find ways to make things better without overstepping your boundaries or making the boss look bad. I would begin by having a private conversation with the boss, carefully noting some issues have arisen, and offering your help. Perhaps you can even suggest taking some of the workload off his desk, as long as you don’t seem threatening. He might really appreciate some behind-the-scenes help because he probably knows he’s not doing a good job. A time could come when all else has failed and you believe others need to know what’s happening. But that should be a last resort and should be done with great caution, not with a vindictive and critical attitude.

Can this job be saved? For example, take this situation. You are the human resources director for a company that does a lot of business with the government. As a result, you have to complete government forms and abide by government rules in order to secure and keep your contract. Currently, you are required to complete a form which asks if you’re in compliance with some of their rules—and in fact, you are not. Policies and procedures need to be changed in order to comply. You turn the forms into the president without your signature, noting the lack of compliance. Instead of agreeing to the needed changes which take time and cost money, the president insists you complete the forms, making up numbers and facts to satisfy the government requirements and sign and submit them. After all, he tells you, nobody will know the difference! You explain you can’t do that as a matter of integrity. He is furious, grabs the forms, and says he will complete and sign them himself. What do you do now? The question is, do you have further responsibility to alert anyone that the forms are not correct, or have you done all you can and should do? Certainly, taking this kind of stand could put your job in jeopardy. So, do you make matters worse by any further action on your part? Every situation would have to be carefully considered. In most cases, I think simply refusing to be a part of any deceptive action is where your duty ends. But there could be situations where safety or other bad consequences might cause you to speak up against this illegal action. And it may be true this job cannot be saved. You could lose your job as a result. Peter wrote about unjust suffering, and he said, but if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:19-21). Suffering unjustly for the sake of what is right gets God’s attention. It’s the same kind of suffering Jesus endured, and he will give you the grace to endure as well. None of us asks for suffering, but if it is unjust, believe me, God will have the last word, and you will receive his favor.

Did you ever work in a situation that seemed like mission impossible? I’m asking the question: Can this job be saved? When you do find yourself working in a very stressful environment, as a Christ-follower, what can you do? What should you do to make the best of a bad situation? Here’s another situation to consider. Your departmental manager is not liked by any of the employees. She is very unfair, discourteous to everyone, and in addition, doesn’t perform her own duties well. Everyone in the department talks about her in derogatory ways all the time. Nobody can figure out how she keeps her job. You’ve been part of that malicious talk at times. As a Christian, you’ve now decided you don’t want to be a part of that character assassination toward your manager (even though she deserves it!). How will you keep from getting caught up in this office gossip? What could you do to change the climate? Gossip is a vicious and deadly disease, and once it gets started, it is not easy to stop. There’s no question a Christ-follower should never be a part of this kind of malicious talk. In Romans 1, malice is described as wickedness, along with envy, murder, strife, and God-haters. God doesn’t take malicious talk lightly; it is sin. Step one is to remove yourself from these conversations. Make it clear you won’t participate in malicious talk about anyone, including the boss. You probably won’t have to make a statement to that effect; the fact you don’t do it any longer will speak for itself. Then use every opportunity you can to change the conversation. Sometimes one person can have a good influence on the corporate climate. Ask God to help you see your manager through his eyes, and reach out to her in some way, with encouragement and support. That kind of action on your part will not go unnoticed by your coworkers. Will it change their behavior? Who knows—it might, but it will certainly make a statement about your integrity and your testimony for Jesus.

Can this job be saved? I’m examining five different job situations and asking: As Christians, what should be our course of action if we find ourselves in such a predicament? Here is today’s situation. You have recently been promoted and now work closely with a new coworker who is a single man. He’s very pleasant to work with, and you get along fine with him. However, you’ve noticed your husband is not too excited about this new job, and it seems to be because of your close working relationship with this single man. How can you handle this situation so you don’t lose the promotion but still assure your husband he has nothing to worry about this coworker? I might begin with asking what has caused your husband to have any uneasiness about your working relationship with this man? Is it because your husband tends to be the jealous kind, or have you talked about your coworker so often or so favorably it has aroused his feelings of jealousy? Possibly a change in how you speak of him would solve the problem. If it’s a little more complicated than that, you must decide what is more important to you: A peaceful relationship with your husband or keeping your promotion. His fear or jealousy may be totally inappropriate and unfounded, but if that’s where he’s coming from, you should do whatever you can to allay those fears. Have an honest conversation with your husband. Tell him you are willing to forfeit this job if that’s what will resolve this issue. You might consider inviting some coworkers to your home, including this man, so your husband can see for himself that your relationship is purely professional. Above all else, don’t allow anything to start to replace your feelings and love for your husband. Don’t let the enemy get his foot in this door and try to ruin your marriage. Believe me, many illicit relationships have started just this innocently. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). This is a time to closely guard your heart.

I want to present some job situations that are touchy and difficult, and ask the question: Can this job be saved? If you’re a Christ-follower, then God has you there for some good purpose. When I ask the question—Can this job be saved?—what I’m really asking is, “What is the course of action a Christian should take in order to resolve the issue or make things better?” Here’s situation number one. You work with a person who knows you are a Christian. And it seems this person makes a point of trying to offend you with foul language and crude jokes. Just today this person told a crude joke in your presence, and when you didn’t laugh, they said sarcastically, “I guess you don’t get it, huh? She doesn’t get this kind of humor.” You were so angry you almost cried. But somehow you bit your tongue, gave him or her a look, and didn’t say anything. What should you do now? Should you get tough and demand they stop it or just keep taking it? First, what biblical principles apply in such a situation? Here are two that come to mind: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21). Can this job be saved? Sometimes Jesus puts people into our lives who are not comfortable for us and who do offend us, but they’re watching how we respond. Anyone who purposely focuses on trying to offend you is more than likely fighting a battle inside, often under conviction, and releasing their inner struggle in unhealthy ways. The question is how can you live at peace with this person never taking a stand against the offense? First, don’t see this person as the enemy; look at him or her through God’s eyes. Something’s going on in his or her heart that causes him or her to lash out at you. It would not be wrong to have a private conversation with this person, asking what can be done to relieve the tension between you, but do so without pointing fingers of accusation. Never be ashamed of your Christian principles—you don’t have to apologize for your refusal to take part in those offensive conversations or language. But remember, this person’s real problem is not that he or she makes you uncomfortable or offends you; the real issue is this person needs Jesus desperately, and God has put you in this person’s life to be an example of Jesus to him or her.

It is a bit of a paradox, I agree, to be both contented and not contented. Maybe it’s helpful to say we should accept who we are but never settle for where we are. Have you discovered that when you are not happy with who you are, you inflict great suffering on yourself? It causes you to be envious of others, to resent the success of others, to fight to get ahead of others, to be dependent on the approval of others. All kinds of problems arise when you cannot accept who you are. Have you come to that place yet, where you can truly say, “I like the way God has created me”? Oh, I hope so. It is not prideful to appreciate God’s handiwork in you. Rather it brings glory to God, just as when you appreciate a work of art you bring honor to the artist. Today I want to point out three other areas we need to learn to accept but not settle. Your Gifts and Talents Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are good chapters to study if you’re not familiar with these gifts. Once you know how God has gifted you, then accept the role you’ve been given with great joy. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You’ll find great joy when you’re functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things like that which an encourager does so well. It won’t be a chore or a duty because it’s your gift; it will be a delight. If your gift is administration, you’ll love organizing and doing all the behind-the-scenes things that are so important. If your gift is mercy, you will naturally have a sympathetic heart toward hurting people and find yourself trying to help them. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here’s the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus told a parable about three people who were given talents to use. One had five talents, one two talents, and one had only one. When the master returned and demanded an accounting as to how each one used his talents, he gave strong approval to the first two because they multiplied their talents. But to the man with only one, he gave a grave condemnation because he hid his talent and did not multiply it. You’ll find that parable in Matthew 25. What Jesus taught us there is when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. I’ve been amazed to see this in my own life. I’m telling you, years ago I could never have imagined being able to do some of the ministries and new ideas God has allowed me to be involved with. But God is true to his Word, and when we start using the talent we have, God is faithful to give us more and increase our effectiveness. Accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you and then set out to grow them as much as possible. You do that by using them any way you can. Jump in the water and get wet. Often, I’m asked how I began my ministry, which is now heard on over 400 radio stations internationally and reaches out in many other ways. It began in my home in Chicago as a Bible study for five or six women. That Bible study lasted several years, and to this day is one of the sweetest, best memories I have. From that I started a small ministry at my church and became involved in other ministries there, serving in various ways. And much to my amazement, the doors opened. Now we have a much bigger outreach. But it all began where I was—in my home. And little by little God gave me opportunities to develop my gifts. God keeps his word, and he has promised when we are faithful with the gifts and talents we have, he will give us more....

Do you have some giants in your life right now—some people or situations that are way bigger than you are? Some obstacles you don’t know how to overcome? We all have them at times, and I’ve noticed usually God leads us to fight the giants in our lives in the most unusual ways. It almost always goes against human logic. We must learn to walk by faith and trust the Holy Spirit within us to give us guidance, and then not doubt it when others say “That’s not the way to do it,” or “Nobody has ever done it that way before.” There are times when we should ignore what others tell us. If you remember when Jesus was going to heal Jairus’ daughter, his friends came to him and said, “Don’t bother, she’s dead already.” But Jesus ignored what they said and told Jairus, Don’t be afraid; just believe (Mark 5:36). If you’re facing a giant in your life right now, use your slingshot like David did when he faced Goliath; don’t try to wear someone else’s armor. And ignore those who would tell you otherwise. Maybe the battle is over, and you are victorious. Remember what David said before he fought Goliath: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands (1 Samuel 17:47). When your battle is over and God has given you victory, please remember it was the Lord’s battle, not yours, and he gave you the skill, talent, and wisdom to know how to fight and be victorious. Give him all the glory. I think we can all relate to David. Because he was who he was—the way God had created him—and used the skills he had learned, he killed the giant. I hope you’ll remember this illustration from David’s life to inspire you to use your slingshot—God’s gifts in you to do what he has called you to do. Go into the battle without fear, knowing it’s not your battle. It is the Lord’s, and you can face that giant equipped by God to win the victory.

Did you ever think about this: David had to be able to kill Goliath, because that was the deed which propelled him to eventually become the King. It made his reputation and paved the way for God’s plan for him. But it began in those lonely fields as a shepherd boy, slinging stones from a slingshot day in and day out and learning how to kill big enemies in unconventional ways. When facing Goliath, David was prepared for the job. He used his creative thinking and refused to try to do it Saul’s way, which would have meant defeat. He used his slingshot—a most unlikely weapon, but God gave him that skill to prepare him for this incredible challenge. He could kill a giant with a slingshot. Where are you now? In the fields, all alone, being prepared by God for what is coming? David didn’t know, when he was tending sheep, that God was preparing him to be King. He had no idea. But he did that job well, and while he was doing it, he learned to do other things—like play a harp, write poetry, aim a slingshot well, and tackle an enemy of overwhelming odds. Maybe you’re on the battleground and your Goliath is staring at you, taunting you. Are you tempted to fight in someone else’s armor? Remember, if God has brought you to that battlefield, he has a plan to make you victorious; but don’t get out of yourself. David knew how to stay within himself and not try to mimic others or be intimidated when others told him what he should do or how he should do it. David knew God had equipped him to slay this giant, and he wasn’t afraid to try. It wasn’t a matter of pride or conceit; he just knew he had a skill from God that now God wanted to use. You remember David’s brother was angry that David would try to kill Goliath and told him to just go back home. When others tell you can’t do it or to quit or they belittle you in some way, remember David. If he had allowed his brother’s remarks to get to him, he would have turned around and gone back to the sheep. He never would have defeated Goliath. But he was willing to step out even in the face of his brother’s protests and jealousy. If God has told you to use a slingshot, then use it. Don’t let the “Sauls” in your life dictate how you are to attack your giant if you know God has given you directions. Many times, well-meaning people will give us poor advice. Certainly, Saul thought it would be best for David to wear all that armor, but David knew better. A conventional one-on-one sword battle would have wiped David out in a few seconds. Learn from David to use your slingshot for the honor and glory of God.

Use your own slingshot! It comes from David’s life. When he volunteered to fight nine-foot Goliath, King Saul offered him his heavy armor and a sword. But David knew he couldn’t win wearing someone else’s armor. It didn’t fit him and he couldn’t move in it. Instead, he chose his slingshot—the tool he knew, the skill he had practiced—and he defeated the giant. I have to relearn that lesson often. God gifts each of us uniquely. It’s a mistake to try to do what God has called us to do in someone else’s armor. It’s so easy to look at someone successful and think, that’s what I should be doing. But God has given you certain gifts—and not others—on purpose. Don’t minimize what he has entrusted to you. Use what God has given you. Do what you do well. Don’t try to impress people or copy someone else’s style. Every time I’ve tried to do God’s work someone else’s way, I’ve fallen flat. I have to lean into the strengths God placed in me and I encourage you not to underestimate what God can do through you using your own slingshot. Remember, David’s skill was developed in obscurity—out in the fields, caring for sheep. In that quiet, unnoticed place, God was preparing him. He practiced with that slingshot until he was an expert. What looked small and unimportant became the very thing God used to bring victory. Looking back, I can see how God used even the hidden seasons of my life to prepare me for what I’m doing now. He wastes nothing. Polish your gifts. Develop your skills. Trust how God has wired you. And then step forward—using your own slingshot.

You remember the famous story of David and Goliath. I think there’s a lot we can learn from this story. David visited the battlefield, where the Israelites were fighting the Philistines—and frankly, they were doomed to lose because nobody would go up against Goliath the giant. David was appalled that they were intimidated by a giant, because after all, they were God’s people, and God would give them the victory. Finally, King Saul sent for him because David had volunteered to fight Goliath. Of course, Saul was reluctant to let him do this, knowing it was highly unlikely David could. But David insisted and told Saul how he had killed a lion and a bear. He said, The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17:37). Saul relented; after all, nobody else was willing to even try, and then Saul tried to tell David how to do it. “Here,” he said, “put on my armor, take my sword.” David immediately realized he couldn’t use Saul’s armor. I cannot go in these, he said to Saul, because I am not used to them (1 Samuel 17:39). He took them off, found his five smooth stones, got his slingshot in his hand, and faced Goliath. You know the story: He takes aim at Goliath’s head, hits him in the right place, and knocks him out. Then he cuts off Goliath’s head with his own sword, and claims victory. How did David defeat Goliath? By using his slingshot. You don’t kill giants with slingshots—right? But that’s what David was good at; that’s how he had defeated the lion and the bear; that’s the gift God had given him. David was smart enough to realize trying to do what God wanted him to do in someone else’s armor would lead to disaster. Now, think about some lessons we can learn from this. When you try to do your work to please people; when you try to copy others and do what they’re doing, it’s like putting on Saul’s armor—you can’t do it. But when God has given you a gift, skill, or opportunity, don’t underestimate God’s power in you, doing it the way he’s gifted you. Use your slingshot. It may not be the conventional way to do things, but if that’s how God is leading you, don’t be intimidated by what others think. Go with what God has given you.

Are you happy with who you are? Do you often wish you were someone else or had a different personality? Are you envious of other people’s gifts or abilities or accomplishments? No doubt all of us struggle at times with accepting ourselves the way we are, and sadly some people spend their entire lives wishing they were someone else. Living a life of envy and disappointment in yourself is living in misery. I want to examine learning to accept and appreciate who you are—the way God has created you. I’m calling this “Use Your Own Slingshot,” and that comes from the story of David and Goliath. Off and on throughout my life, I’ve found myself trying to be what someone else wanted me to be. Do you have that problem too? At this stage in my life, it seems to hit me periodically and unexpectedly. Before I realize what’s happening, I’m comparing myself to others or wishing I were different or trying to be what someone else thinks I should be. Symptoms of this disease are uneasiness in your spirit, feeling guilty about something but you’re not quite sure what, knots in your stomach, and a general sense of gloom and despair. Can you recognize some of these things in yourself? Maybe, like me, it hits you only occasionally, or you may indeed find yourself continually consumed with this disease of not being satisfied with who you are. David found himself in a situation of being urged to be like someone else, but he knew he had to be himself. You remember how David volunteered to go up against the giant, Goliath. Nobody else in the entire Israeli army had been willing to face him, even the experienced fighters. After all, Goliath was over nine feet tall, so you can hardly blame them. David was on an errand to the fighting field, to bring food to his brothers, and he heard Goliath making his daily challenge, which he had been doing for forty days. He was goading them and taunting them. When David heard this, he essentially said, “Why are we allowing this bully to stand there and make threats against the Lord’s army? Why hasn’t someone stood up to him?” His brother, Eliab told him to go back where he came from and tend the sheep. He belittled David and insulted him. After all, he didn’t want to be shown up by his baby brother. But David didn’t let Eliab intimidate him. Even at this young age, you can see the strong faith of David in his God and his confidence that God could deliver them from Goliath.

Do you ever feel pulled in two directions? On one hand, we know from Scripture we’re to accept who we are in Christ. We’re told not to compare ourselves to others or envy who they are or what they have. We know we were uniquely designed by God, created on purpose, and that we should appreciate his handiwork in us. But on the other hand—if you’re like me—you also know there are things about yourself you shouldn’t just accept. There are flaws. Weaknesses. Immaturities. We see others who seem to have it more together, and we feel the gap between who we are and who we ought to be. Here’s the dilemma: How do we accept who we are when we know we’re not yet all we should be? How can we believe we’re special just as we are, while knowing we still have so far to grow? It almost seems like mission impossible. It appears to be a paradox with no solution. On the one hand we’re admonished to rejoice and celebrate who we are and on the other hand, we’re aware daily of our inadequacies and shortcomings. But here’s what I’m learning: I must be content with who God made me to be—while remaining lovingly dissatisfied with where I am in my growth. Contentment with my design. Holy discontentment with my development. Or to say it another way: accept who I am, but don’t settle for where I am. That understanding has brought me tremendous freedom. I can appreciate who I am in Christ and still pursue becoming more like him. Let’s look at a couple of areas where this tension shows up. Your Body Scripture tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God formed us in our mother’s womb. He doesn’t make mistakes. And yet—when we look in the mirror, do we see his craftsmanship or only the flaws? “Oh, if only my hair were different.” “If only my face were shaped another way.” “If only my body were thinner, taller, smaller, firmer.” Now, tell the truth: Don’t we often just focus on the negatives? Our culture has convinced us there’s only one acceptable shape for a beautiful body. And we’ve paid dearly for believing that lie. So many women have harmed themselves chasing an image that was never meant to define beauty. I mean—look at the evidence: God clearly loves variety. Just look around at all the different looks, types, and shapes! How dull this world would be if we all came in the same size, shape, or color. My dear friend, Fran, was barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one in the room. But that small stature became a beautiful tool in God’s hands. She was never intimidating. People instantly felt at ease with her. She could make you laugh in seconds. She never met a stranger, and as a result, she was able to authentically and easily talk with people about her faith. Many women came to saving faith because they became friends with Fran. God used her size and personality together in powerful ways. Her height was not a mistake. Your body is not a mistake either. Accept it. Thank God for it. See it as his design. But don’t settle. Care for it. Strengthen it. Discipline it. Keep it healthy so it can serve Jesus well. We don’t chase perfection, but we do pursue stewardship. Our physical well-being affects our effectiveness. We want to run our race well and finish strong. Very recently I was struck by this passage from Psalm 92: The righteous flourish like the palm tree… They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright (Psalm 92:12-14). As the years pile up, your body goes through changes. But I love the truth that we can still bear fruit even as we age and be full of sap and green. I don’t want to run out of gas. I don’t want to be prohibited from ministry because my body fails me. Now, there are some physical problems over which you and I have no control. But our behavior and discipline largely determine how good we’re going to feel, how long we’re going to last, how clearly we can think, how fast we can react, how much we can accomplish. You don’t want to...

I’ve been focusing on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior. Can I ask you: Of what or who do you boast? Or in our vernacular, what do you brag about? Paul said to the Galatians: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). Can you imagine what this sounded like to Jewish people of his day? Boasting in the cross? That was unthinkable—and yet it is because of the cross that Jesus was able to purchase our salvation. I have led many tours to Israel, and each time I go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent those agonizing hours before he was arrested, I am reminded it’s not a fairy tale. It’s not just a story that has been passed down through the ages. No, the cross of Jesus Christ was real. He suffered a shameful death for me—and for you—so God could forgive our sins. Because of him, we can have the righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to us, qualifying us to spend eternity with God. There’s something about sitting in that garden, still filled with olive trees, and knowing we are on sacred ground, walking and meditating there where Jesus agonized until his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Where he prayed “Not my will but thine be done,” as he faced the reality of being separated from his Father and bearing in his own body the sins of the world. Each time I come away from that Garden more humbled and more aware of just what it meant for Jesus to give himself as a ransom for many—for me—and to be willing to die on a cross. As you and I celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Sunday, let us glory in the cross, because without it, we have no hope. Boast about the cross and what Jesus has done for you. Tell everybody you can and why this celebration is so vital and precious to you. And we will celebrate with great joy the fact that the grave could not hold Jesus; death had no victory over him. He arose from the grave. What kind of god dies? Only the true God, the only God, who died so we could live. Let it sink into your mind and heart as you stand in awe that Jesus died for you. Don’t ever take this story, this truth, for granted. Understanding the enormity of his death on a cross is sobering and amazing, and his resurrection is reason for great joy.