Facing the Giants

One of my favorite songs is "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns. I love almost all songs by Casting Crowns, but this one really stands out to me.

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand


But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win


But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth


Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand


But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."


But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth


But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me


But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth


I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth

This song just speaks to me in so many ways.

I have always been the kind of person that cares too much about what others think and say. I have to keep in mind all the time that it doesn't matter what they think or say because what matters is keeping my focus where it belongs. Listening to God instead of others. Letting His voice tell me what He thinks of me, and not caring what "their" voices say. Who is "they" anyway, and what gives them any power over me? The truth is that they have no power over me, I give that power to Him.

Then there are the internal giants that I deal with. The lack of patience and tolerance for others is one. I get very impatient and frustrated with other people, when I know I shouldn't. I think to myself, "I can't deal with one more stupid person today." Or I let people get to me when they are just being rude, and I shouldn't let it bother me. Another giant is that I also have fear, of several things. There is the fear, that I mentioned above, of others thoughts. There is also the fear of doing things wrong and screwing up. The giant of condemnation & judgement (of myself & others) is another struggle. I think that much of my struggle with others (their thoughts of me, and my thoughts of them) stems from my internal struggles and thoughts toward myself. I have to establish a better relationship with myself in order to have more welcoming and less judgemental thoughts and feelings. I think I could make that a little easier on myself if I dealt with another giant, not reading Bible as much as I should. Most of these giants would be a bit easier to deal with if I was more consistent and really dived into His Word.

But thankfully, I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful, caring, exemplary people who enrich my life on a daily basis. My family, by both blood &marriage, and my friends are an endless source of encouragement and strength for me. I thank God every day for them. They help me face down my giants and are with me as I attempt to defeat them. God has really brought a peace into my life lately, and I hope that those around me can tell.

I have been feeling God's movement in my heart for a few weeks now. I think it is borne of a desire to raise my child to be a wonderful and God-fearing man. I don't, of course, plan on shoving things down his throat, but I want to be the example that he desires to be like, just like my parents have been to me. I have been leaning heavily on Proverbs 31 lately, because that is really the woman I want to be. I want to be a blessing to my family, for my home to be an uplifting place, and for me to bring joy and peace to my husband and child.

These are the things that have been on my heart, and I wanted to lay them out for others, so that you might be encouraged, and if you relate, so that you can also join me in the desire to have a closer walk with Him.