Recount, Recall, and Apply – Lessons from David and Goliath II ~ By Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle

Last month I told you we’d camp out with David for a few weeks, checking out his battle with Goliath. We started with “Tune Out and Turn Away”, which reminded us to listen to the voice of God. Any other voices we need to not only ignore, but remove from our lives. You can check out that post here.

Today we’re picking up the story as David meets Saul along the edges of the battlefield. David has turned from his peers who have attempted to create doubt, to his king. For me, the story grows even more interesting here. This is someone in a position of authority, and Saul has two responses. We’re only tackling the first one today. Take a listen:

You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced…1 Samuel 17:33

Wow. Not exactly constructive advice or positive encouragement. Those words are riddled with doubt and negativity…nearly an attack against David.

Ever been there? Entered a contest and gotten poor feedback? Or received a terrible rejection letter from a publisher or agent? Had an editor tell you you’ll never make it in this industry? That’s what’s happening here, and David’s response is priceless:

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:36-37

David never wobbles in his faith. He knew what God had called him to, and he believed in God’s ability to deliver the victory. It wasn’t even a question to him. And rather than falling prey to the doubt Saul delivered, David recounts the victories he’s had through Christ. Even better? When he’s through with his list of impossibilities God made possible through him, he claims his next victory—killing Goliath—before it’s even happened. That just begs for an AMEN! David’s unwavering faith in God is his greatest weapon.

Now please don’t get me wrong; constructive criticism is good—it helps us grow. But allowing someone to convince you that you’re unable to do what God has called you to, well that’s just unacceptable. When criticism isn’t constructive, I don’t care who it’s from, you need to stomp on its seed before doubt takes root. You need to do what David did…

Begin to recount all the victories God has already placed in your hands, recall his faithfulness in your life, and apply that in faith to the victories he will bring. There is an amazing power in speaking out and remembering God’s faithfulness.


Step into that power today.

****

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.

The Good and the Bad ~by Susan Tuttle

koratmember on freedigitalphotos.net

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 

~2 Corinthians 4:1

I read this verse recently, and it brought home two points as I approach this writing ministry. I thought this might be a good place to share. :)

First off, if you’ve been in writing long, you know it’s full of rejection. No two ways around it, closed doors and “no’s” are all part of the game. We talk about growing thick skin and learning to love “constructive criticism”…all of which is true. Yet it can start to seep into our bones. Is this all worth it? Will I ever be published? Am I even good at this whole writing thing?

Fact is, if God has given you this ministry of writing, then yes, you are good at it. Yes, he’s going to use your work in some capacity. And yes, it is more than worth it. Do you still need to grow and polish your talent—of course! Does that mean you’re going to sell a million books? Nope. You might have written that one book just for the editor who rejected it but found healing in its pages nonetheless. And that is what makes it worth it. If you only change one person with your writing—and never even see it, just have to believe it—then it is still worth it. Because God’s seeing it, and he’s got the instant replay waiting for you to watch some day. Amen? Yes. Amen!

So don’t lose heart. This ministry that you have is all through God’s mercy. The rejection doesn’t lessen what he’s doing through you. Keep pushing forward, believing in the talent he’s given and that he’s using it, even when you don’t see it! Someday—either here or in heaven—you will see it.

Which brings me to the second part. While we cannot take on the rejection of this ministry, we also cannot take on the glory. He’s rather specific about this, in fact, one of my favorite reminder verses says: I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not give my glory to another! Isaiah 42:8 He doesn’t beat around the bush. Look. He’s even got exclamation points, and as a writer we know not to just throw those around. Touching his glory is like trying to take his place, and that never ends well. We don’t shine for people to see us, we shine for people to see him—it’s the reason he lights us up with his fire. Don’t redirect it.

I guess bottom line is this…your writing ministry is God’s. The good and the bad of it. Don’t touch either. Don’t lose heart in the “no” and don’t take the glory of your “yes”. Just let him use you however he sees fit. It’s a wonderful ride :)  

Susan Tuttle
Steps

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.