There are points in life when all of us face giants – fears, phobias and phantoms of the night or day. Most do not have a physical form but seem bigger and more horrible in the night. Others face bullies at school, at work, in the neighbourhood or even in families where you are supposed to feel safe. Whatever type they are, their power is frightening and real. So we hope to avoid them but there are times when you know one particular giant has its eye on you and you sense its tentacles are moving your way.
- ‘There’s something about most phobias where there’s a tiny, tiny corner where you think this really actually could happen’ – Roz Chast
- ‘My phobias worsen as I get older. I’m scared of flying, driving. I’m terrified of sharks. I’m a germaphobe. But I try to face my fears; I do. Well, most of them’ – Eli Roth
- ‘There’s a vast encyclopaedia of fears and phobias, and pretty much any object, experience, situation you can think of, there is someone who has a phobia of it’ – Scott Stossel
- ‘A bully is a bully, and it’s important that you stand up to them’ – David Hogg
A classic bully will look for those who are smaller, hide, take advantage of the dark and pounce. This is the strategy of the octopus, the ‘bully of the sea’ that floats around like a phantom waiting to devour its next prey. Not only that, but research shows that they sometimes throw rocks at each other and punch smaller fish ‘out of spite’. Added to this, they can camouflage themselves to deceive their prey. They use their arms and tentacles to imprison their captives before piercing their skin or shell with a beak like a parrot and injecting venom to paralyze victims. In Australian waters, the Blue Ringed Octopus at just 5 to 8 inches has enough venom to kill 26 humans – their poison, tetrodotoxin, is reputed to be 1200 times more toxic than cyanide. Human bullies use stealth to prey on those who are weaker or smaller. They use words like poison and if not challenged will continue to lash out spitefully.
There are numerous examples of bullies in public life – politicians, business people, film makers and sports coaches are among those who have been in the news for bullying. Not only do we see it like this at a distance, but often we will experience it. Nick Stahl portrayed this as Bobby in ‘Bully’ (2001). Bobby is verbally, physically, and sexually abusive, a predator to girls and his best friend, Marty. There are many films that pick up this unpleasant theme. What is to be done with the bully, themselves sometimes having been the victim? We know the ‘right’ answer is to make a stand but it’s easily said and tough to do. God hates bullying and we have a prime example of how one who taunted a whole nation was dealt with as one man took a stand.
Goliath from Gath was a giant of a man who liked to throw his weight around. He was also a mighty warrior with impressive armour and was put forward as ‘The Champion’ to take on all-comers and there was nobody willing to challenge him as he belittled them with his jeers. Then comes along a young person who trusts in God – David, the youngest and possibly smallest of his brothers. Amazed that no one will stand up against Goliath, he knows that God never failed him as he confronted a bear or lion when caring for his father’s sheep and so he comes forward with just a boy’s sling and 5 smooth stones. It took just one stone sent with faith in God and courage to act – the giant fell and victory was won.
Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth by John Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman
The giants facing you may be physical, emotional or spiritual. It may be a huge wrong that needs to be put right. Yorkshireman William Wilberforce was just 5 foot three inches tall with a chest of 33 inches when, aged 28, he felt that God was calling him to confront the Slave Trade and all the powerful interest groups behind it. Twenty words from his diary reflect the decision that was to affect the rest of his life and change the world: ‘God Almighty has set before me two Great Objects – the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners’. With great courage, he set about the abolition of slavery but also child labour, widespread disorder and cruelty. His achievements changed society. His inspiration was Jesus Christ who took on the biggest giant known to mankind – death. Songwriter Stuart Townend has this line in a song: ‘Who storms the prison and sets men free? Only the mercy of Jesus’. There is a beautiful song by a homeless old man that you may find very moving as he sings about this – the story behind it is fascinating:
Made famous by Gavin Bryars
- ‘”All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” … Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he (David) slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground’ – 1 Samuel 17:47-49
- ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings’ – 1 Peter 5:8-9
- ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand’ – Ephesians 6:10-13
- ‘For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony’ – Revelation 12:10-11
Standing up to giants and phantoms is not to be done lightly, but with God’s help it can be done.