DR. Michael Holcomb's common & not so common sense on stuff is the content for this blog "been thinkin."

Shingles and Giants

Dr. Mike Holcomb and Many giants

2/12/20253 min read

Been Thinkin About “Shingles”;

We have been looking at killing giants with y’all and I’ve been using notes from 2007 that I used from several authors and decades of experiences.

I was on vacation with my wife and family in the Gulf of America several years ago. I love the gulf and was minding my own business when I started having this strange burning in my side and soon all the way up my back. It was an eye-opening pain, not grit your teeth kind. Soon though it was a burning like fire so that no one could touch. Our fourth day of vacation I had blisters around my back and waist. I was in some pain. I got to my Dr. and discovered I had Shingles. Shingles!

Here was David, going on a cheese run for his Dad, minding his own business, and wound up in a fight with a giant. Once he saw and heard the giant, he was provoked. (Provoked means # incited, especially deliberately, to anger.)

My point today is begin to talk about how to expel the giants in your life. We will continue with some new stuff in 1 Samuel 17. (Not new in the sense that God just added it but stuff we haven’t seen.)

I am not going to elaborate here, but it is worth studying the difference between King Saul and David. One never killed a giant while the other did because of conviction, a call, courage, confidence and a commission.

Once you know what your giant is I think you must…;

1. Trust In Proven Ammunition.

Many fail in the battle because they try to use equipment they are totally unfamiliar with. David took the giant down with the things he was familiar with. A “staff” was a long club with a hook on one end, a sling, and 5 smooth stones. As a Christian, here is what I know, the enemy never fights fair and you will never hear of solutions that require discipline, convictions, principles of God, to get out of your mess.

King Saul mainly gave David defensive weapons. David rejected his advice and used proven ammo.

Prayer is proven ammo. God’s Word is proven ammo. Biblical counsel is proven ammo.

If you have a financial giant, you don’t wait on publishers clearinghouse to solve your problem. God’s Word has much to say about finances. I would say the same about marriage giants, or relationship decision, or employment giants.

2. Dismiss Personal Slander. No One can tangle with a giant without having to endure some criticism or mudslung on them.

In order to expel the giant in your life, you are going to have to do it in spite of personal attack or personal defamation. David could have said to Saul, “I don’t have to take this, I’m going home. I am not going to fight.”

This personal criticism rolled off David’s back didn’t bother him. My problem is that I take criticism too personal. That can create a giant, so this step is important. You are not ready to fight until this step can take place.

If necessary ( this is the answer for me.) get counseled on this from another source. Do not burn the barn down to kill a few rats. One more for today.

3. Review the Present Situation.

Most don’t take the time to do this and it delays defeating your giant. 17:45 ole David said to himself and the giant, “ Let’s get clear what is at stake!” Then he gave what I call “the tale of the tape.” “You come at me with…,but I come at you with…”

A major turning point in my life occurred when I took this step with a dark, mean, ugly giant. I thought, “You’re going to come at me with compromise, defamation, failure, threats but I’m coming at you with integrity, character, promise of my word, and conviction.” Confirmed my most difficult decision.

We will cover 4 more steps then sling the rock and cut the giants head off.

I’m later than usual getting this out today. My Thinkin was slower today. Appreciate you who take the time to read this.