In Facing the Giants, the football coach challenges his player to go beyond what he believes is possible. Blindfolded and carrying the weight of a teammate, the young man surprises even himself by crossing the entire field. He taps into strength he didn’t know he had because someone believed in him and refused to let him settle for less.

Every day, we face our own “giants.” They might not look like a literal Philistine warrior, but they show up as doubts whispering, You can’t do this. They disguise themselves as bad habits clinging to us like old baggage or fears telling us to stay small. Sometimes they’re overwhelming, like the relentless to-do list or the chaos of life. But each time we confront these giants—one step, one prayer, one decision at a time—we weaken their hold on us.

David didn’t defeat Goliath because he was the strongest or most skilled. He won because he recognized that he didn’t stand alone. Behind his humble sling and stone was the power of a living God who equips the willing and strengthens the faithful. That same power is behind us. When we take even a small step forward, it’s not just our strength at work—it’s the mighty force of God pushing us, steadying us, and helping us claim victory.

Your giants may be tall, but your God is taller. With Him, you can carry more, overcome more, and go farther than you think. So take the step. Throw the stone. Face the field. You might just surprise yourself.

“You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him.”
– 1 Samuel 17:45, Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Imagine making the bold decision to change your ways. You’re pumped, determined, ready to shed old habits. But just when you’re getting into the groove, life throws obstacles in your path. Familiar routines, tempting old habits, and the magnetic pull of what you’ve always done—all seem to pop up, uninvited. It’s as if the universe has you on speed dial for cosmic roadblocks.

The truth? The universe isn’t out to get you. What’s happening is that your brain is following well-worn pathways—the familiar routes you’ve built over time. Think of it like an old dirt road that’s been driven over so many times, it practically knows the way on its own. It’s easy to take, it’s comfortable, and it’s what your brain defaults to. So, creating new patterns? That’s like carving out a fresh trail in a dense forest. It takes time, patience, and consistency.

Now, let’s talk about Lisa’s story, a real example of how challenging (but possible!) it is to forge a new path. After a tough period of addiction, Lisa decided to turn her life around. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she underestimated just how strong the pull of her old habits would be. Every step forward seemed to come with two steps back. The routines she’d established during her struggle were like deep ruts in her mind, and even small triggers seemed to lure her back to them.

But Lisa didn’t quit. She joined a support group, found a mentor, and committed to daily practices that helped her build new mental pathways. It wasn’t glamorous or quick, but day by day, those new paths became clearer. Yes, she still faced setbacks, but each one became less jarring as the new roads in her brain began to take hold. Lisa’s journey is a powerful reminder that change isn’t about snapping your fingers; it’s about steady work, resilience, and faith.

So, keep going. Every time you reinforce that new path, it becomes a bit stronger and easier to follow. You’re not failing when you hit a rough patch, you’re building a new way forward.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” (Zechariah 4:10, CSB).