Originally posted 2017-04-10 13:23:29.
Hi!
There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to face giants. We don’t always know what the giants are until they unexpectedly pop up. Lately; this has happened to me quite often. I’ve become aware that giants visit in different ways.
The other day; I was on a conference call with people from different parts of the country. I only knew one person on the call. As the host called various persons’ names; to have words; fear bum rushed me. I thought, “Please don’t let my name be called. These women speak with such confidence. My voice is too soft.”
Have you ever felt that way? Have you been on a call or in a meeting, and started doubting your ability? Why? Giants! I didn’t want the person hosting the call to ask me to say a word. I guess you’re thinking, “So what? You got nervous. No big deal.” But stay with me.
The reason this came as a surprise was; I’m used to being in meetings with big mucky mucks in ministry, the corporate world, and in other secular environments. So what happened? Why did I dread speaking to these people? Perhaps it’s because of hidden giants of fear, low self-esteem, self ridicule, rejection, and pride.
I was talking with a millennial the other day, and told her about this post’s question. She said, “Wow! That makes me wonder what my giants are?” Then she said something that completely threw me. She said, “Auntie, what do you think my giants are? I said, “One giant I think you have is that you are overly concerned about what others think about you.” Her question sparked a thought. In order to face our giants, we all need to do some self-reflections.
Do me a favor and take the short quiz below:
- Do you get tense when introduced to members of a team (at work, school or in ministry) with years of experience; and you are a new appointee?
- Do you ever feel like others are up there; and you are down here?
- Do you have a conflicted allegiance to a family member or close friend who is trying to pressure you into doing something you aren’t comfortable with doing?
- Are you afraid to get excited about new opportunities?
- Do you feel uncomfortable when you walk into a room full of people in meetings; or at a conference or social event?
- Do you compare your outward appearance to others; and feel bad about your looks?
- Are you always wondering what others think about you?
- Do you lay awake at night; fretting about bills; test results; or upcoming appointments?
- Do you feel ashamed when you don’t have the amount asked for during the ministry of giving in church services?
- Do you have multiple projects that you need to finish; but you seem to keep putting them off until later?
If you answered yes to any of those questions; the next question is, “Why?” Also, what are the giants driving your answers of, “Yes?” Think about it. Did self-talk come up? When I say, self-talk; I mean negative words that feed the giants.
For instance; what self-talk drives a “Yes” to question number 4 above?
Maybe it’s, “The last time I got excited, things bombed, and I got disappointed.” Or maybe the self-talk is, “This won’t happen; good things don’t happen to me.”
Let’s look at question numbers 2 and 5 above. What self-talk drives a “Yes” to answer those questions?
Maybe it’s, “I don’t have the money that they have.” Or, “I don’t have the experience or education that they have.” Or, “I don’t talk like they do.” Or, “I’m too tall; too short; too fat; too skinny; and they’re beautiful or handsome.”
But there is a way to get rid of that negativity. How? Face your giants!
This may seem like an oxymoron; but the biggest giant is really small. It’s that infamous four letter word called fear. Fear hinders progress. In order to get rid of fear; you must first acknowledge the fear in you. That also applies to low self-esteem, pride, insecurity, or any other giants in your life. Admitting their presence is essential. My friend, it’s time….
It’s time to ask yourself:
- Why am I afraid?
- Why do I care what others think of me?
- Why do I put myself down so?
- Why am I ashamed of my voice’s pitch?
- Why am I so self-conscious about my looks?
- Why do I think people are talking about me when they mention how some super smart and intelligent people are full of themselves?
- Why do I hold back on expressing my opinion and ideas in meetings, on conference calls or in group texts?
- Why am I afraid for others to see my inadequacies?
- Why do I keep putting off starting that business; creating that podcast; uploading that webinar; or publishing that book?
- What are the spirits in me that are guiding the giants?
Facing your giants can be painful; yet joyous
Realizing how you allow giants to impede your progress is frustrating; and often embarrassing. It causes you to wonder, “Why in the world have I allowed those invisible giants to make me waste so much time? So many missed opportunities!! That is just stupid.”
Have you ever felt that way? I have; and I’m glad about it. It gave me such a wonderful epiphany. Those thoughts followed by asking God to forgive you and forgiving yourself are the beginning of your road to victory. It becomes even more joyful when you allow God’s Word to be a light to all of your pathways.
When you give in to fear, as it relates to terror; it stops you from trusting God. But, I just came across a scripture that enlightened me to the remedy to this malady. It’s found in Psalm 27:1; “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Wow! Doesn’t that scripture bless you? It blesses me! With our Almighty God as our light; our salvation; and the strength of our life; there is no need for you or me to fear anything or anybody. Right? Do you agree? If you believe that applies to you; if you haven’t already done so; don’t you think it’s time to face your giants?
My friends, you and I have the power to slay all giants. We slay them through believing, trusting in, and speaking the Word of God. But, first we must prayerfully allow God to show us our giants; and face them. Are you ready? Yes? Well, let’s do this!!
Thank you for spending time with me today. I’ll leave you with this question again, “Have you faced your giants? We’ll talk soon.
Blessings!
Rochelle
