Defeating Your Giants

     My friendly shade is located on a dead-end road surrounded by forest and trees.  This, often, allows me to observe wildlife, and especially deer as they ease through the back side of my property.  This morning there was one lonely doe.  She was crippled.  Actually she was limping through the trees on three legs; the back leg, which was away from my viewing range, dangled  loosely and was unable to touch the ground.  More than likely, this was the result of a shot, gone wrong, during hunting season. 
     I do hunt from time to time and am not opposed to it, but this poor limping deer did leave me sad and feeling sorry for her and her future as she strives to survive nature.    
     I was pondering on how a human’s aim, as he missed his target, had caused the injury which was going to leave this doe crippled when it dawned on me about how our words and deeds can  leave those we come in contact with crippled, as well.
     When David’s brother admonished him and told him he was just a little boy trying to show out, and that he was no one to think he could defeat Goliath, David ignored him.  David had enough faith in his God that he went ahead and did what he proposed in his heart to accomplish.  Yet, there are those who are weaker in their faith than David was.  They let what others think about them interfere with what they really want to do in life.  Those same words from David’s brother could have been what it took to make him turn away and not follow God’s calling.  Our words do affect people.  Our words can build up or they can tear down; they can leave a person crippled.  In Proverbs 18 it says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” 
     To those who speak too quickly, watch your words and build up your friend.  Encourage them face their giants. 
     To those who listen and try to please, remember it is your life, and scripture tells us to “Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.”   The wise have God’s word in their hearts, and they have the strength and courage to follow their hearts.   You will defeat your giants.