We all have voices that are trying to keep us from our destiny. Sometimes it’s people telling us what we can’t become and how we’re not going to accomplish our dream. “You don’t have the qualifications for this position.” It may be experts telling us the facts. “You’re never going to get well.” You hear about the economy, inflation, viruses, division. This can bring fear and worry. “What’s going to happen?” Words are like seeds. If you dwell on them long enough, they’ll take root and become a reality. The good news is that you get to choose what gets planted in your soil.
The Scripture says, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Don’t let just any seed get in there. If it is discouraging, brings fear, or pushes you down, don’t give it the time of day. Don’t give the doubt from other people or your own negative thoughts permission to become a reality. You have to tune out all the negative, limiting words—“can’t do it,” “not able,” “never going to happen.” You don’t have to receive it. If you don’t dwell on it, those words will die stillborn and have no effect on you.
David was seventeen years old when he heard the giant Goliath, the champion of the Philistine army, taunting the Israelites. None of the Israelite soldiers dared to face the giant. David was half his size, had no military training or armor, but he told King Saul that he would face Goliath. Saul said, “David, don’t be ridiculous. You’re just a boy. He’s been a warrior since he was a youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). He was saying, “You don’t have a chance. You’re too small. You’re not qualified.” David had a choice. Would he let those words take root or was he going to guard his mind and not let Saul’s negative opinion talk him out of his destiny. This was a defining moment. David could’ve walked away and missed becoming who God created him to be had he not refused the negative seeds.
Before you conquer your giant, there will be a Saul trying to discourage you. The real test is not Goliath; it is Saul—the negative words, the doubt, the fear, the insecurity, trying to get you to question if you really have what it takes. Dismiss the doubt. Refuse those negative seeds. You’re at a defining moment. You’re on the verge of stepping up to a new level and seeing God do something you’ve never seen. Don’t shrink back and let the doubt and fear take root. Do as David did and dismiss it and move forward in faith into the awesome future God has in store.