Giants and Hallelujahs

Giants can represent many things. Fear. Doubt. Anxiety. Sickness. Cancer. Loss.

Giants can fill up the sacred spaces in your heart and they don’t like to share. And though sometimes these “giants” are very, very real, how much space we allow them to occupy is critical to how we will fight and how well we tell ourselves the truth.

You see, giants always look bigger and stronger than they really are. Did you know that? Just like hallelujahs declared out loud always resound louder than the ones you keep to yourself. It’s true. I realize it now.

So today, as we kick off the new year, I wanted to share some thoughts with you about what He’s been teaching me…about giants and about hallelujahs. I haven’t always carried these Truths with great confidence, but I am learning. I am growing.

He has been patient to teach me, show me, walk with me, lean into and over me until I could stand on my own two feet. Grateful to be planted in the beauty of them now.

And this is what I have found on this winding journey so far (well, at least a slice of it, that is :)).

I realize now that I had a choice and that surrendering my life to the Lord was the right one to make.

I realize now that what I see looming in front of me isn’t necessarily the Truth that Jesus has spoken over me.

I realize now that tender mercies don’t always feel tender at the moment I experience them.

I realize now that there are choices yet to be made that I still have a say in.

I realize now that no one can declare something over me unless I give them permission to do so.

I realize now that just because my doubts and fears are louder than His gentle whispers, it doesn’t make them more true.

I realize now that though I can be my own worst critic, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I am best able to tell myself the truth.

I realize now that what may look like a terrible assignment from the military can literally become the very breath of fresh air that we didn’t even know we needed.

I realize now that fears of the unknown are a dumb waste of energy and that Jesus is always more than enough.

I realize now that teenagers are nothing to be afraid of and that celebrating them is always a much better choice.

I realize now that standing up for those who aren’t able to stand up for themselves is a decision I will never regret and will keep repeating.

I realize now that being married to a soldier is worth every single sacrifice I’ve ever made and that, if given the chance, I would choose it all over again.

I realize now that Jesus is bigger than the Army, stronger than the political environment, fiercer than my greatest enemies, more satisfying than what I think I need, more full than any deficit I may currently possess.

I realize now that God’s good plans for me and my family can not be shaken, squished, stolen, or trampled upon.

I realize now that His goodness is behind me, around me, and forever in front of me.

So today I want to challenge you – right here, right now, right in this very space you find yourself – what do you realize? What has He been lovingly, patiently, beautifully revealing to you as you walk with Him? These are gifts from Him that need to be highlighted from time to time, if nothing else but to remind us that the giants we all have in our lives are not the Authors of our lives. And that hallelujahs are required of us so that we can remind our tender hearts of the victory that already belongs to us.

Thank you, Jesus!

The song I want to share with you today is from Bethel Music, entitled, “Raise a Hallelujah.” In the beginning of the video, the writer of the song describes the circumstances in which he penned the song and melody. It is well worth the listen and a powerful testimony, sweet friends….may we each “raise a hallelujah, louder than our unbelief.” Sooo good!

With joy for the journey,

Sarah