In Every Promised Land there is a Giant | UMC YoungPeople
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August 2016

In Every Promised Land there is a Giant

By Mary Kuronzwi

In life we may face many giants. But just like any challenge, these giants should lead us to success, not hinder us. In my own experience, I’ve had a difficult accepting things as they come. I’ve often asked God, “Why do you let bad things happen in my life?” However, I’ve learned that if you have faith and a good heart, you can trust that God will help you overcome your giants. You just might not know it until some time later.

Sometimes God allows things to happen in our lives so that His name can glorified. In to the story of Lazarus we see that Jesus allowed death to come to his friend for this reason. Because of his seeming inaction, many of his followers blamed Jesus or tried to provoke him. Jesus responds in John 11:14 saying, “but for your sake I am glad that I was not with him, so that you will believe.” I believe that things can happen to us to increase faith, hope and to see the hand of God upon our lives.

You can trust that God will help you overcome your giants.

No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. It may seem hard to get to that light, but I believe that if we keep working at it, we can see the positive side of all things. All you have to do is to accept situations as they are and start to develop a positive attitude towards them. This world has many misleading appearances, but there is one truth that will set you free. Jesus mentions this truth in John 14:6 when he says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Many challenges may come our way, but sweet comes from sweat. The devil may try to steal our peace, hope, joy and love but the worst situations can be navigated by prayer. Whenever I reflect on the story of crossing the red sea I see how God helps us overcome the largest giants. The Children of Israel faced many challenges from Pharaoh and his people. They knew that, in order to get to the Promised Land, this giant called Egypt must be overcome. Because they believed that God would carry them, the water was divided and the Children of Israel walked on dry land. The Egyptians were once giants but they were defeated.

The Children of Israel knew that, in order to get to the Promised Land, the giant called Egypt must be overcome.

The same is true in our lives. Though we may be troubled, God helps us to overcome the giants that plague us. So I challenge you to not be scared of challenges, but to face them head on and do the best you can.

Discussion Question: What are the challenge that you are afraid of? Face it now, conquer it, and let it make you even stronger.

Young Adult devotions by Mary Kuronzwi.