Next time you walk in the woods, stop and think about what’s taking place right under your feet. As the roots of the trees connect with each other, they form a support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, and another to sunlight. No single tree has it all, but together they can grow, thrive, and withstand the storms of life. ‘Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love’ (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV). Some of us independent types have difficulty with this concept. We want to fly solo – until we crash – then we realise our need for these: 1) Encouragement. Even Paul needed cheering on: ‘Everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn’t ashamed of me when I was put in jail. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me’ (2 Timothy 1:15-17 CEV). 2) Sympathy. ‘Be sympathetic’ (Colossians 3:12 GWT). We all need to be understood and have our feelings validated. But sometimes we’re in such a hurry to ‘fix’ people, we don’t have time to sympathise with them. 3) Grace. ‘Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’ (Colossians 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to extend grace to others? God’s grace to us! You will never be asked to extend more grace to someone than God has already extended to you.

A ‘servant’ focuses on doing his master’s will. And a ‘witness’ testifies to what he or she has seen and personally experienced. And as a redeemed child of God, you’re called to do both. Let’s look at each one individually. 1) You’re God’s servant. That means your ears must be attuned to what He wants you to do, when He wants you to do it, in the way He wants it done. Doing His will should be the most important item on your daily agenda. 2) You’re His witness. The value of a witness depends on how close they were to an event when it happened, and what they observed. John writes, ‘We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands.…Now we testify’ (1 John 1:1-2 NLT). Remember the old adage ‘you become like the company you keep’? Well, when you spend time with Jesus each day, others will be influenced by your life. The Bible says, ‘He that winneth souls is wise’ (Proverbs 11:30 KJV). When it comes to sharing your faith, you must show wisdom, tact, and grace. Chances are, many people you meet have had at least one bad experience with Christians and church, so you must be ‘wise’. And how do you do that? By letting them know Jesus is the Great Physician who heals broken hearts. That the church is a hospital where some are doing well while others are still needing care. Properly understood and presented, this will draw people to Jesus instead of driving them away. So…what’s your assignment? To be His servant and His witness!

Mother Teresa is attributed with saying, ‘I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!’ Is that how you feel today? Like there is too much to do and not enough of you to do it? Let Romans chapter fifteen, verse thirteen, percolate in your mind: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (NIV). The way to have peace in the midst of a troubled situation is by staying filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. How do you do that? By developing a spiritual hunger and letting God fill you. He can give you a sense of serenity when you’re surrounded by stress. So, if you’re in over your head today, pray this: ‘Father, You said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17). I can’t keep the enemy’s weapons from being formed, but I know You will keep them from prevailing against me. You said if I ask anything according to Your will, You will grant my request (see 1 John 5:14-15). You said when I walk in obedience, I will be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (see Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:2; 3:5). You told me to turn all my troubles over to You and You will take care of me (see 1 Peter 5:7). So here they are! Today I’m standing on Your promises. You said it! I believe it! That settles it! Amen.’

Goliath’s ancestors were Israel’s long-standing enemies. And when Joshua entered the Promised Land, he annihilated them all – except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. Why is that important to note? Because if you don’t kill the enemy and cut off his head, he’ll rise to fight you again. Maybe you’re wrestling with issues your parents and grandparents grappled with; things like addiction, marriage problems, anger, worry and depression. David put ‘five…stones from a stream…into his shepherd’s bag’ (v. 40 NLT) because he didn’t know how many he’d need to do the job. And there are certain ‘stones’ you need to take with you to conquer the giants in your life. 1) Be relentless. It may take more than a day, a month, or even a year to see results. But with God’s help you’ll win if you persevere. 2) Get God involved. God’s priority is His reputation, and David’s objective was to defend it by declaring, ‘There is a God in Israel’ (v. 46 NLT). 3) Keep praying and believing God for victory. ‘Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare’ (Ephesians 6:18 MSG). Rehearsing your hurts won’t heal them and cataloguing your problems won’t solve them. But prayer will. 4) Recall your earlier victories. David announced, ‘GOD, who delivered me from the…lion and…bear, will deliver me from this Philistine’ (1 Samuel 17:37 MSG). When you’re afraid of the future, call to mind God’s past faithfulness: ‘Remember the wonders he…performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given’ (1 Chronicles 16:12 NLT). With God’s help you can conquer the giants in your life!

When he went out to fight Goliath, David said, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD…and he will give you to us!’ (1 Samuel 17:45, 47 NLT). Nobody in King Saul’s army seemed to have factored God into the equation, but David talked about nothing else. He saw what they didn’t, and refused to be intimidated by what they did. He believed that the God he served was bigger than the giant he faced. Do you believe that too? Do you see God as bigger than your problem? If you’re in a situation where there appears to be no way out, instead of wasting time and energy dwelling on your own weaknesses and shortcomings, stand on God’s Word and start talking about His power. You won’t win if you fight in your own strength, so don’t try it! David said, ‘This is the LORD’s battle’ (v. 47 NLT). And God has never lost a battle! So confront your giant in the name of the Lord and declare: ‘Giant of divorce, you aren’t entering my home; depression, you won’t conquer me; alcohol, bigotry, insecurity, lust, you’re coming down!’ The Bible says, ‘When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him’ (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV). There are three things Satan can’t withstand: God’s Word, Christ’s blood, and the name of Jesus. When you use those things you’ll bring him down every time – just like David toppled Goliath!

The surest way to ruin your child’s prospects for a happy life is to indulge their every whim, teach them that the world ‘owes them’, cultivate in them a sense of entitlement, under no circumstances allow them to ‘work by the sweat of their brow’ and experience the satisfaction that comes from discipline, sacrifice and a job well done. In the classic Little Women, Mrs March tells this story to her daughters: ‘Once upon a time there were four girls who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, yet they were not contented. These girls made many excellent resolutions; but they were constantly saying, “If we only had this,” or “If we could only do that.” So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and she said, “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.” They decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses; another found she was a great deal happier with her youth, health and good spirits than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn’t enjoy her comforts; a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it. So they agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings they already possessed.’ The question is: ‘What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits towards me?’ The answer is: gratitude!

Someone quipped, ‘When Columbus set out, he didn’t know where he was going. When he arrived, he didn’t know where he was. And when he returned home, he didn’t know where he’d been.’ We all need help knowing what direction to go; whether or not to relocate, take a certain job, commit to a relationship, etc. Good news! God will direct you, and when you make a wrong turn he will redirect you. Here are three ways in which He does it: 1) Through wise counsel. Others have sat where you’re sitting: ‘Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7 NRSV). Is your business floundering? Talk to a successful entrepreneur. Are you experiencing a midlife crisis? Before doing something you’ll regret, ask for help. Solomon said, ‘The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15 NIV). 2) Through prayer and listening for His voice. Jesus said, ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me’ (John 10:27 NIV). And Isaiah writes, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”’ That’s the kind of assurance you need. So, ‘Instead of worrying, pray’ (Philippians 4:6 MSG). 3) Through Scripture: Paul says, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom’ (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). One author observes: ‘The Bible is to God, what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you.’ But that means reading it, personalising it, and acting on it.

Vincent’s passion for ministry led him to the Belgian coalfields where he preached to miners, fed the hungry, and earned a place in the people’s hearts. His church was filled to capacity with those eager to learn about Jesus. But his superiors weren’t happy because Vincent wore cast-offs, lived in a shack, and gave his salary to the people. ‘You look worse than the people you teach,’ they said. ‘Wouldn’t Jesus have done the same?’ Vincent asked. His bosses disagreed, and he was dismissed from the ministry. He was hurt and angry. His only desire had been to build a church that glorified God, so why hadn’t God let it happen? Then one day he watched an old miner struggling under a load of coal. Moved by the sight, he began to sketch the bowed figure. And although he didn’t realise it at the time, he’d discovered his real calling. The young preacher who was rejected by his denomination eventually became an artist the world will long remember – Vincent van Gogh. David said: ‘It was my desire to build a Temple…but God said to me…”Your son Solomon will build my Temple”’ (1 Chronicles 28:2-3, 6 NLT). When God gives you a red light, be sensitive to it. And when He overrules your plans to implement His own, say, ‘Amen!’ F.B. Meyer wrote: ‘Are you in difficulty about your way? Go to God…get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal…Wait there silent and expectant, though all around you insist on immediate decision or action – and the will of God will be made clear.’

When God gives you a green light, you must go. And when He gives you a red light, you must stop. ‘Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia. After they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. So they went on through Mysia until they came to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia…sure that God had called us to preach the good news there’ (vv. 6-10 CEV). After a series of green lights, God gave Paul a red light. Why? 1) Because the timing wasn’t right. Apollos had to go there first and lay the groundwork. 2) Because God needed Paul and Barnabas elsewhere. 3) Because God wanted them to be more seasoned before embarking on such a major mission. Note the words, ‘They tried to go…but the Spirit…would not let them.’ How reassuring! God loves you so much that He will save you from your own misguided plans. The Canadian preacher A.B. Simpson said: ‘Often there’s nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.’ Today God may be saying to you, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted [in this situation]’ (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). Please pay attention!

Answer the following ten questions honestly. 1) Are you sometimes grumpy without knowing why? 2) Do you work hard but feel unappreciated? 3) Do you feel guilty and unproductive when you’re caught relaxing? 4) Do you increasingly find yourself shouting to make your point instead of talking calmly? 5) Can you remember the last time you laughed till you cried? 6) Are you exhausted after a day off because of all the chores you had to do? 7) Do you tend to eat more when you’re tense or overwhelmed? 8) Are you constantly on the defensive? 9) Do you suffer from unexplained headaches and stomach aches? 10) Does your to-do list have footnotes? So, how did you do on the test? Are you surprised? If you’re tuned in to yourself, you shouldn’t be. The symptoms of stress overload don’t appear overnight. When your computer starts freezing up, you know it’s time to turn it off and reboot. When a warning light flashes on the dashboard of your car, you wouldn’t dream of ignoring it. When the clock starts losing time, you know it’s time to change the batteries! The bottom line is: if you continue to ignore the warning signs, stress will eventually take its toll on your health. Jesus said, ‘Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated…disturbed… and unsettled’ (John 14:27 AMPC). In other words, work on controlling your reactions. Stop losing your peace over every little thing that goes wrong in your life. When there’s nothing you can do about the situation, learn to trust God, let it go, and keep your joy.