Have you ever taken on a challenge because you saw someone else do it—only to find yourself exhausted, weighed down, and wondering why it feels so heavy?
I know I have.
But what if the problem isn’t the challenge itself, but how we’re approaching it?
The other morning I was reading a devotional on David and Goliath. Even if you don’t read the Bible, you’ve probably heard this story: a young shepherd boy named David defeats a giant over nine feet tall with nothing but a slingshot and five stones.
While that moment is powerful in itself, what struck me most wasn’t the battle—but what happened before it.
First, David’s father asked him to deliver food to his brothers on the battlefield. David didn’t make excuses, argue, or say he was too busy watching the sheep. He simply obeyed. Maybe he was eager for a change of scenery, maybe not—but he was willing.
When David arrived, he noticed something no one else wanted to face: Goliath mocking Israel. David could have dropped off the food and walked away. After all, killing giants wasn’t what his father had asked of him. Even his brothers questioned why he wasn’t with the sheep. But David saw what needed to be done—and he was willing to step up.
Here’s where it gets interesting. When King Saul offered David his own armor, David tried it on but quickly realized it didn’t fit. It was too heavy. Instead of struggling under the weight of someone else’s tools, David chose to fight with what he knew—his sling and stones.
That’s the lesson for us.
When we face our own giants—whether they’re health challenges, career struggles, or personal battles—it’s tempting to do things the way everyone else does. We put on “their armor,” and then wonder why we feel bogged down, discouraged, or ineffective.
But victory comes when we use our gifts, our strengths, and our resources. When we stop trying to fight with what was never meant for us, we find freedom, energy, and confidence.
David defeated Goliath not by imitating someone else, but by leaning into who God and who he already was and what he already had.
So the next time you face a challenge, remember: you don’t need someone else’s armor. You already have what you need to slay your giant.
Want to read the full story? Check out 1 Samuel 17.
So, if this encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you!
👉 Share in the comments: What “giant” are you facing right now—and what unique gifts or tools are you leaning on to fight it?
And if this post inspired you, pass it along to someone who might need a reminder that they already have everything they need.
