Common excuses. Logical reasons. Justifying Explanations.

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Common excuses. Logical reasons.

Justifying Explanations.

….when life has not promoted us to the place we were promised

by Abram Gomez

I should be further along.

I don’t know why God has me here.

I know I can do what they do.

God seems to be taking too long on his end.

Common excuses. Logical reasons. Justifying explanations. We all have them and we all use them when trying to make sense as to why life has not promoted us the place we were promised. David, a beloved hero and King in the Old Testament, is a prime example of a person who rose to the occasion of Lions and Bears. Someone once said that there are no shortcuts to greatness. Significance does not go on sale, but it is available to all who are willing to pursue her.

David was anointed to be the next King of Israel, and yet his time of appointment to the actual throne would more than a decade. Rather than being disheartened by God’s timing, David made the most of every teaching episode he encountered. Understand one thing: it is not what you encounter that sets you apart, but it is how you steward and react to those encounters that set you apart. Every season, every job, and every problem affords you the learning experience to get better and become wiser. Unfortunately, some will squander their experiences and always blame others for not getting their chance. David was no different from others around him except for the fact that he was willing to fight what others ran from. It is the principle of fight or flight.

Sometimes, God will send you and allow you to go through various types of trials to give you the training you need for the next season of your ministry, career, or family. David was a shepherd of sheep. On several instances, lions and bears would come into the fold to try to steal a lamb. Rather than flee from those daunting creatures, David did something. He fought the lions and bears. He could have justified to his father why a lamb was not in the inventory at the end of the day. He could have shared with his friends how this always happens to him and no one else. Moreover, he could’ve made others feel sorry for him for having to have experience such disaster. Yet, that is not what Scripture tells us. He fought. He learned. Little did he know that he was being trained for bigger giants in his near future.  Instead of sobbing “Why me God”, why don’t you see your lions and bears as training? Perhaps, God is teaching you resolve. Maybe it’s bravery that you need. Or, humility. Whatever the case, don’t run away from something that could be a blessing in disguise. Don’t rush the process either. If you leave too soon or avoid it, you may not have the weapons in your arsenal and skills needed to fight in the next season. There may be jobs, positions, and people depending on you to get equipped where you are.

In addition, what you fight is often an indication of what God is training you for. The Bible does not mention any of David’s brothers fighting with lions and bears. When Goliath was exposed, he intimidated every one of Israel’s soldiers, including his brothers. Again, they had not overcome the type of battles that David had overcome. You could be fighting things in your life no one else has had to fight, but don’t let those battles depress you. Recognize that there is purpose for those challenges and crises.  One of the key reasons David had courage and confidence to fight Goliath was because he had fought with his lions and bears. Private battles can turn into public victories. What God teaches you behind the scenes will benefit you on the public stage. While David thought he was just doing his duty as a shepherd, God through His sovereignty, was molding David with guts and tenacity against his enemies.  If God could give him the strength and victory then, surely God could do it again!

Lions and bears were never meant to delay David from the throne. In truth, they were sent for David.  Naturally, we do not go after problems and challenges. So, God will allow them to come with our sphere of living so we can learn how to fight.

So, stand up, get equipped, and learn what you can! If God be for you, who can be against you!