Big Problems, Bigger God

The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.

Things always take longer than you expect. It’s a reminder that should be printed in big, bold letters on every instruction manual for home repairs.

Small home repairs often take longer than we expect because improvement projects can uncover larger, previously hidden problems. A renovation of the bathroom uncovers mold that requires remediation, or a deck project reveals cracks in your home’s foundation. Small problems can become big ones in a split second.

When David arrived at Israel’s camp to bring his brothers food for dinner, he didn’t anticipate becoming a warrior for his people. He was just a boy performing his delivery responsibility. Hungry bellies may have been the presenting problem, but as David wandered through the camp, he realized the problems were actually much bigger. The Philistines’ mighty soldier Goliath was mocking their nation and their God.

If you run up against a home improvement snafu, you’ve got two choices: fix it or forget about it. As he stood listening to Goliath’s taunts, David realized he had the same decision to make. But like a homeowner standing before a flooded bathroom, David understood the problem that faced him was bigger than anything he could handle alone. Yes, the problem needed fixing. Yet this was the biggest challenge David had ever faced. How could he face a giant?

You’ve got your own giants in life after loss, problems that seem too big to fix alone. You’ve got financial struggles, friendship tensions, and physical challenges. Your future feels uncertain, and your past is inaccessible. You’re stressed that it’s taking longer than you expected to feel secure or happy or healthy again. Like David, grief has uncovered big problems that you don’t know how to face.

Today, let David’s testimony guide you as you face your own giants. As he stood on the cusp of heading into battle against Goliath, David recited God’s mighty acts on his behalf. Just as God had fought for him in the past, God would fight for him now.

In the same way, God will fight for you today. Your problems are big, bigger than you ever expected. But God is big too. Bigger, perhaps, than you’ve ever believed he could be. Today, place your problems in his hands. They may take longer to resolve than you hope, but you can trust God’s workmanship. He’s the Master Renovator.

Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

A Prayer: God, the death of my person has brought problems into my life that I never expected. Some of them I feel like I can handle. Others look like giants in my path. I know that you are faithful and wise and capable. Meet me today in my struggles and show me your strength. Remind me that, however long things take, you are in the work of fixing. You are the restorer of all things. Amen.

An Activity for Today: Does grief make you fidgety? Is it hard to concentrate or sit still? Does your mind wander because life feels big and hard right now? Take a cue from the kids around you, and grab yourself a fidget toy. Fidget spinners, pop fidget toys, and mini containers of Play-Doh are all available in discount stores, ready to help alleviate your restlessness. Grab a stress ball to flex during a call with the funeral home or a Rubik’s Cube to twist when you’re feeling lonely. Some faith traditions use prayer beads to focus the mind and heart on God. A book like Praying with Beads: Daily Prayers for the Christian Year^a can guide you into restful prayer if you find that grief makes even connection with God difficult to sustain.

A Song to Encourage Your Heart: “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Michael W. Smith