I’m writing this post because this girl is goin’ through a tough time. So, I need to remind myself of God’s truths and usually when I write about my struggles, it helps others too. Situations have escalated and I need to take down a Goliath in my life I’ve allowed to rule for way too long.
Do You Need to Take Down a Goliath in your life?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT asking “Do you need to take down a person?” My good friend Wendy once said, “if they have skin on, they’re not the enemy.”
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
My ‘Goliath’ has been screaming threats in my ear; attacking who I am, lying, mocking my relationship with God and criticizing the call on my life. The intimidation has often left me cowering in shame.
The longevity of this battle has taken its toll and affected me so profoundly in the past year that I was ready to give up on everything. It affected me physically, spiritually and emotionally. I felt so defeated and discouraged that I didn’t even send out my weekly Soul H2O devotions for three weeks in July because, it’s impossible to refresh others when your well is dry. Since I started sending out Soul H2O four years ago I had only missed posting once, when I was on a missions’ trip in Guatemala. I can’t express to you how defeated the enemy made me feel, even after a season of powerful ministry this spring. I can relate to Elijah’s breakdown in a new way after this experience.
Can you relate to what I’m going through?
Have you ever asked God, why is this happening to me?
Even up to this morning I was feeling this way until I listened to a sermon by Matt Tapley from Lakemount Worship Centre in Grimsby, Ontario. It wasn’t a warm and fuzzy sermon to ease my pain. This was a ‘toughen up, you can do it’ kind of message, and that’s exactly what I needed.
In his podcast, Spiritual Best Practices, Matt talks about a faulty theology Christians often have that leads you to believe
“if I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, I can avoid trouble.”
But, as Matt points out,
“This isn’t true.”
Falling prey to this mindset easily opens the door to believe the enemies lies. He intimidates by whispering in your ear that you MUST be doing something wrong, or worse, that God must not love you.
I wish my faith was stronger than this. You’d think I wouldn’t struggle with this faulty theology since I wrote a post about it titled, We Need To Change Our Christian Expectations. This was back in 2013 when God first started confronting my mixed-up belief. It’s sad how thick-headed we can be. God often needs to apply a few knocks on our noggin to help us ‘get it’!
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyedwhen his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13
GETTING INSPIRED
Matt’s message, rereading my old blog post and beginning to read Holley Gerth’s book, Fiercehearted were the kick in the pants I needed to get out of my funk and back to a firm foundation of faith. When I heard Matt say, “ If God’s helped you with a ‘level 2 bully’ then He can help you defeat a ‘level 12 Goliath’” I wanted to shout; but the people walking on the trail near me might have called the authorities. The very title of Holley’s book is inspiring me. I want to live #fiercehearted in the face of my Goliath, and I know you do too! I can’t wait to be OVERjoyed when His glory is revealed and the battle is gone.
Click here to watch the Facebook Live I recorded after I got all fired up. I’m sure it will be a shot in the arm of courage for you!
Since the video people have asked me for the verses I mentioned. Here’s a listing of Scriptures that will help you stand firm in your faith so you can take down any Goliath you face!
Hebrews 10:39
2 Corinthians 4:16-19
Isaiah 10:27
1 John 2:20-27
Another couple verses that will help you are Isaiah 54:17, 52:2, Ephesians 6:12
Praying this post leaves you Blessed & Refreshed!
Much love,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
We Need To Change Our Christian Expectations My #SoulH2O Blog Post
https://holleygerth.com/
https://www.lakemount.ca/
https://www.lakemount.ca/grow/messages/spiritual-best-practices
#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

Thank you Sherry, for sharing this! It was as if you were reading my mind and I so appreciate the encouragement! xoxo
Valerie,
We are definitely Soul Sista’s girl 🙂
Praying you’re blessed and refreshed today confident that you can take down your Goliath!
~Sherry
xoxo
Amen and Amen! Thank you SO MUCH for this amazing post and your encouraging Facebook Live video! I definitely needed this–the Lord has been using me in powerful ways in our women’s ministry at our church, and of course the enemy continually attacks and discourages– but praise God that we have the power through Christ to defeat those Goliaths in our lives! I am glad the Lord has encouraged you through Holley’s book and through that sermon (which I will listen to later today!) Praise God for your vibrant ministry, and may the Lord strengthen and equip you to be strong, courageous, and fierce-hearted for His glory!
Christin I hope you’ve listened to Matt’s sermon. It’s truly empowering. Knowing his story of loss makes it all the more powerful. Matt mentions it briefly at one point. Tomorrow I’m releasing a #SoulH2O devotion post called Fight like a Boxer. Praying you learn how to defeat your Goliath.
~Sherry
xoxo
I love the verses you mention. If we need to stand up against our goliath we can recite these verses. Thank you for the encouragement through your post and video:) your sis from grace and truth linkup.
Sue,
Standing on the Word is the key to defeating our giants. Glad you were encouraged Sis 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Dear Sherry, how brave and loving you are to candidly share you’really recent struggle! Who hasn’t been in that place? But, praise God, He never intends to leave us there forever. Just like with you, if our hearts are open and searching, we’ll see the rope (s) He is throwing us to get out of the pit. Blessings on you!
Alice,
Thanks for your encouragement. Praying you’re encouraged to trust God for more!
Be Blessed & Refreshed,
~Sherry
xoxo
Love what your friend said – if they have skin they’re not the enemy. We so easily forget that people are NOT our Goliath. For me, it’s very similar to yours – lies, threats and questioning me about some of the same things. Thanks for the encouragement!
Michelle,
Glad you were encouraged. Praying my words are a catalyst to help you overcome in your life!
Be Blessed & Refreshed,
~Sherry
xoxo
((Sherry)) I’m sorry you’ve been struggling so much. I’ve been missing you, but assumed you were vacationing or taking a bit of a summer break. Praying for you, sister. The enemy enjoys using discouragement against us, doesn’t he? Love this testimony of how God spoke new encouragement into your life. Thank you for sharing. (And I can’t wait to read that book…Holley’s words are always so calming.) Great to see you, friend. ((xoxo))
Brenda,
It’s great to be back, but I’m so glad I took the time off to refill my well. Praying you have a blessed day.
Be Blessed & Refreshed,
~Sherry
xoxo
You confirmed to me that I need to get started on Holley’s book. Thanks for sharing and being an encouragement. Blessings!
Donna,
You’re going to love this one from Holley!
Be Blessed & Refreshed,
~Sherry
xoxo
Oh, friend! I couldn’t agree more! I once confided in someone I trusted that I was feeling a little stressed out and their reply cut me to the core… “Aren’t you supposed to be the one with the strong faith.” As if having faith might make us immune to the stresses of this world. It is such a shame that Christians have to defend their very real human emotions and all the messy stuff that happens to us simply as a result of living in a broken and sinful world. Now I think I need to put Fiercehearted on my reading list! Thanks! XO
Liz,
You totally need to put that book on your reading list. Being in ministry, even online ministry does not remove us from the tough stuff. Love hearing from you! Praying you have a blessed day.
~Sherry
xoxo
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering
problems with your blog. It appears as if some of the written text in your content are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me
know if this is happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my web
browser because I’ve had this happen before. Many thanks
Karry,
It’s so weird. I’m going to email you in case you don’t see this. There was a problem with that post from the Facebook Live part and all that was after the video link. It’s working now. Thanks for alerting me to the problem. I really appreciate it. Blogging websites tend to have a lot of issues and you never know until someone lets you know. Praying you are blessed, refreshed and encouraged when you get to watch the video.
~Sherry
xoxo
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you will be a great
author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and may
come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage one to
continue your great job, have a nice evening!
Thanks Maira!
Hope you have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
You sure know what you’re talking about. Everyone is going to soon be visiting your site.
Thanks Terry 🙂
~Sherry
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote
the book in it or something. I think that you can do
with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is
great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
Great to hear Britt! Thanks for stopping by.
~Sherry
xoxo