Looking for the table of contents?
Concluding Thoughts on Chapter 1
This week, we talked about fear, and how fear can keep us from doing the right thing. As I got to thinking about that, I realized that I tend to use the word “stress” as an excuse for my fear. I condone stress because it’s an emotion, and if I say it’s an emotion then it’s somehow out of my control.
I find myself saying, “Yes, Lord, I trust You with my future, but I’m stressed out in this time of waiting and wonder.”
When I boil it down, I discover that more often than not, stress is a response to my fear. So, how do I conquer that stress? I tackle the fear. I stop making excuses for it, and face the giant head on with the power of God behind me.
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and worry of every day life, but the Bible reminds us to turn to the Lord and to trust in His provision and care.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27, NIV)
I remember a few times when my daughter was younger and we had to go talk to someone that she was afraid to approach. She always had a habit of saying, “Wait, Mom, let’s talk about what we’re going to say first.” She wanted to know exactly what we would say before we opened the door. Every time this happened, I reminded her that as much as we may feel like we need to have control over what will be said in that room, the reality is that God is directing our steps.
There’s no point in getting caught up in potential “what ifs.” In fact, most of the time they tend to increase our stress more than alleviate it. Some nights this ridiculous way of thinking will keep me up for hours on end. “What if I get rejected? What if things don’t go as planned? What if made a mistake? What if something goes wrong? In the end, all that worry does nothing to change the outcome.
The best course of action is to present our requests to God and to leave the “what ifs” in His hands. By leaning on God as our source of strength and putting our trust in His plan, we are showing the world that He is a powerful and loving God who is able to save.
Discussion
Let’s talk about how our study is going in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you’re comfortable sharing your heart with us, maybe we can discuss this question together:
Can you think of a particular time when you were afraid to face a situation or person? What or who were you afraid of? Click here to go to the comments.
Questions and Answers from Chapter 1
What took place between the night Peter denied Jesus and the transformation we see in Acts Chapter 4? (See Acts 4:31)
He was filled with the Holy Spirit
What does Proverbs 16:9 say? Write the verse out here:
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
God is always directing your steps. Can you think of any redirection He gave you this past week?
We made plans for New Years Eve, and they were cancelled twice. We landed up spending the evening at the hospital, because we were called in for an MRI. This wasn’t the kind of evening that we would have planned for ourselves, but for some reason it was a part of God’s plan.
What does Philippians 2:13 say?
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Can you think of a particular time when you were afraid to face a situation or person? What or who were you afraid of?
Check the comment section for my answer.
How was the attitude of the ten spies different from that of David? (See Numbers 13:31 & 1 Samuel 17:47)
The ten spies were focused on their own strength. When David said, “It’s not by sword or spear that the Lord saves,” he knew that the battle had nothing to do with human strength, the size of one’s army, or our ability to fight. He trusted in the power of God to save him, and leaned on His strength.
Look up 1 Samuel 17:45. What weapons did Goliath have, and what was David’s defense?
Goliath had a sword, a spear, and a javelin. Numbers 17: 5-7 always tells us that “he had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.
David had the name of the Lord Almighty. When someone in the Bible says that they come “in the name of the Lord,” it means that they are acting in obedience to God and by His authority.
What message did David want to send to those watching the battle? (See verse 47)
That it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands
What did David do as Goliath moved closer to him? (See verse 48)
David ran quickly toward the battle to meet him.
Consider the words of Goliath in verse 9. What might this tell us about overcoming our fear? (If you’re not sure, you can find a hint in “Week 6, Refiner’s Fire”)
When Goliath said, “If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” It tells me that we don’t have to be ruled or enslaved by the enemy or by our fear. When David conquered the enemy he enslaved them. When we stand firm in faith we overcome the enemy, we rise above tribulation, and we conquer our fear.
It also reminded me of the crucifixion of the flesh and the importance of putting away sin. In Romans 6:12, Paul writes, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” and verse 14, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
James 4:13 talks about those who assume they know what tomorrow will bring, but verse 15 shows us a better way of thinking. What is it?
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Pick Up a Copy of the Study Guide
Slaying Giants: Finding Your Courage and Conquering Fear available now at Amazon.com
When you purchase a copy of the study guide you’re helping to support this ministry as we share the gospel with countless women around the world.
We understand that not everyone can purchase the study guide, which is why we provide a printable version exclusively for those facing financial constraints. By subscribing below, you’ll unlock access to these downloadable materials. As part of our community, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the content at your own pace. Plus, as an added treat, you’ll receive periodic devotions from Time-Warp Wife, delivered directly to your inbox. Together, we can grow in faith and discover the abundant blessings of our shared journey. Join us in spreading the empowering message of the gospel to women all around the world.
FREE Printable Scripture Cards
During the 10 weeks of the Bible study, I’ll be creating a set of 4 x 4 inch scripture cards. Each week I’ll give you 2 for a total of 24 cards in total. These high resolution images will correspond with the theme of each week. Perhaps you can print them out on Fridays and meditate on the scriptures over the weekend.
Click here to view and print this week’s note cards.
I had a falling out with a friend about 10 years ago. It wasn’t any one thing that happened, it was a series of small events that drove a wedge into our friendship. Over the years, I wondered how she was doing and what she was up to, but I was afraid that if I contacted her, she might reject me, or laugh behind my back.
During the pandemic, I took a temporary job to help out with finances. It was far from home and I had no idea why I was there, but I felt like I was pushed through a door that was slammed shut behind me. The job was stressful and I wasn’t very good at it, but that’s a different story.
One day, while I was working, I noticed this old friend of mine was shopping in the store. I was surprised to see her there because it was nowhere near her house either. I was terrified, but I gathered the courage to say hello. Our conversation was brief, but that small step was enough to start mending fences. She came back the next day and the day after that and I soon discovered she lived right across the street. As my temporary position came to an end, a renewed friendship was just beginning.
I believe God placed me there ‘for such a time as this.’ It was a departure from my comfort zone that offered me an opportunity to grow. In hindsight, I see the purpose, but it’s not always that way. Some days we just don’t know what God is up to or why He’s doing what He does. And that’s okay. Trusting Him regardless is a part of growing stronger in our faith.
What about you? Can you think of a particular time when you were afraid to face a situation or person? What or who were you afraid of?
I had two moments:
The first one involved my molester. I had had enough of him groping, fondling, and all out sexual deviancy towards me. I quoted I Corinthians 7 towards him, and he laughed at me and said, “When you get to be a woman then I won’t touch you.” I still stood my ground, and it resulted in being called Little Miss self-righteous, miss straightlaced, person with a saucy attitude, etc., but I was glad that I stood up to him.
The last one was against my former employer. I called them on the carpet for violating the law, and they retaliated by firing me. Took them to court, and praise God it went in my favor.
If any of you are interested, I have a YouTube page, where I do my thoughts on the Bible studies that Darlene does. If you’d like to check it out, here’s the link below.
Chapter 1: Learning to Lean
https://www.youtube.com/live/_TMMWtFyeFs?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/@RHNI2Bensalem/featured
Wendy, I’m so sorry you went through all of that. Using the scripture was a wise defence. I pray that God will continue to heal you from that abuse.
My husband left me a year ago, we are still married but because of his past trauma, he’s isolated himself from me, God, church or getting help. We were very much in love but because of “kids” (we are a blended family that didn’t blend) he allowed the rejection of my kids to push him away. Anyway, I’m standing for restoration and reconciliation between he & I and for our kids.
It gets hard when nothing I say reaches his spirit. So, I’ve walked away but still continuing to pray as Holy Spirit works in and on him.
That’s so sad Joanna. I pray that God will heal the fractures this has caused and make you stronger together. Thanks for sharing. I will pray for you.
I found myself caught up in a conversation with a group of co-workers. A couple days had passed and one co-worker who I was really close to mention to me about something I had said in that conversation. For days I had felt the Holy Spirit telling me to go to her and apologize and explain that I had gotten caught up in the conversation and what I said was wrong, it was a lye. I had flat out lyed.
As a Christian, I knew that what I had done was wrong, I tried to just forget about it, but I couldn’t and the co-worker coming to me, I was trapped. I had to admit what I had done. My sin had found me out.
I was so affraid of being rejected, of damaging our friendship, or worse, never being trusted again.
That day I not only experianced freedom by admitting to my wrong, but also experianced the grace and forgiveness of a precious friend.
Such a beautiful reminder to do the right thing regardless of how hard it might be. I am thankful for their forgiveness and grace. Thanks for sharing!
I was afraid to go up to the front of the church. I was afraid I wasn’t good enough. That God couldn’t love someone like me because I have made many mistakes. Ugly ones. Nothing illegal. Just bad.
I remember feeling that way too at one time. For a long time. I was reminded that Jesus paid the price for those sins on the cross.
I’ve had countless “giants to slay” and I was shaking in my boots each time I was confronted. I like you, Darlene, do not handle confrontation very well. It affects me physically just like it affected you. I get a racing heart, sick to my stomach, and terrified…fight or flight sets in and inevitably I usually make poor choices. I either make a doormat of myself (the most common response) and up apologizing profusely or I shoot off my mouth and regret what I’ve said.
But I have to say that unexpectedly I was in a situation recently where someone I am close to got angry with me and threw things. Normally I would have been terrified. But I just sat there watching them, not afraid at all. I’m a retired kindergarten teacher and I felt like I was in my classroom watching one of my tots throwing a tantrum and that’s when it hit me…that was EXACTLY what I was watching. I was watching an adult throw a tantrum. It had nothing to do with me. It was their choice to behave badly and I just had to let them deal with their feelings until it passed. As long as they didn’t hurt me I was in no danger.
God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit…I don’t know which one or maybe all three cured me of my terror of being around angry people. I’m not afraid anymore. I see them for what they are and as long as I am safe from physical harm they can’t hurt me. Praise God for this blessing!!!