Adrian!!!

**Photo courtesty of www.google.ca**

Boxing is a formidable and unforgiving sport. You must have skill, speed, and the utmost strategy to defeat your opponent. Ideally, you want it to end in a knockout, to your favor.

In Rocky IV, Rocky Balboa's friend, Apollo Creed, challenges a massive and elite Soviet Russian boxer named Ivan Drago. In spite of Rocky's incessant warnings against the fight, Apollo takes on the Soviet brute. Ivan's superior athleticism and physical build are no match for Apollo and he dies in the ring.

Rocky is so enraged by the outcome and Drago's obvious indifference at having killed Balboa's long time friend, that Rocky challenges Ivan to a fight in the Soviet Union on Christmas Day. Rocky takes on an unorthodox training regimen that, along with sheer determination, brings him victory over the giant, ending in a knockout.

Whenever I hear about the Rocky movies, this one specifically, I am quickly reminded of a similar story that takes place in the Bible. It is found in a book by the name of 1 Samuel. Within that book, a story is told about a young sheep herder by the name of David.

He has been working in the fields for many years keeping his father's sheep. It hasn't been a lazy vocation. David has been challenged by predators that have come to attack and kill his flock. I guess you could say that David was a Rocky in training.

Not only did David have to keep his sheep together at all times, but the predators in question consisted of a lion and a bear. Both of which David killed with his bare hands. Rather impressive. Yet, little did David know that these events were part of a greater training against a giant, a literal giant.

A Philistine by the name of Goliath who stood over nine feet tall and was terrorizing the Israelites - a group which David was a part of. David was also a man who had a close relationship with God and trusted God to help him kill the lion and bear that had threatened David's flock.

So, with nothing more than a slingshot and five smooth rocks that David had picked from a nearby stream, he ran to the battle line to face Goliath, challenging him to a match.

David was so confident and courageous in God that he called out the giant as being as good as dead saying, "This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down..." - 1 Samuel 17:46. Taking aim at the Philistine, David slung one, smooth stone, deep into the forehead of Goliath and he fell facedown, dead.

All of the training and solitude had paid off for David and the Israelites were freed from the tyrant, Goliath and the rest of the Philistines. This story of David always helps me to believe in myself and know that because I have God in my life, anything is possible.

No matter what situation I face, there is the great force of God who has my back. Helping me to be strong and courageous in the face of fear and anxiety. Along with a reassuring peace that remains immovable in uncertain times and intimidating circumstances.

I figure if David could be that courageous to take on a giant and win, there's really nothing in my own life that I can't overcome because of the strength and confidence I have as a result of being in a relationship with God.

Encouragement for the week:

Is there a giant in your life that you would love nothing more than to knock out? You're definitely not alone.

Whether it's anxiety over starting a new job or a fear of ending a toxic friendship, you have what it takes to overcome and defeat the situation.

If you are a Christian, you know you have a mighty team in your corner to help you take on anything or anyone. You have the power and presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as your trainers and support system and they will give you the courage to win.

If you are not a Christian, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He along with the Father and the Holy Spirit will enable you to face any situation with boldness and strength.