Conquering Life's Battles

Life’s battles often begin before we face any external foe. The real enemy can be a silent, insidious force—an attitude that whispers defeat, resists courage, and drowns us in negativity. It shows up as grumbling when challenges arise, clinging to past hurts, or repeating “I can’t” until it feels true. This mindset, negativism, is a giant more dangerous than any physical threat. It festers in the heart, breeds rebellion, and blinds us to God’s promises. The Israelites faced this in Numbers 13, standing on the edge of the Promised Land. Their true giant wasn’t the descendants of Anak—it was the fear and unbelief that consumed their minds, sealing their fate in the wilderness. Yet, two men, Joshua and Caleb, saw victory where others saw defeat. Their story teaches us a timeless truth: there is always bread in the battle and food in the fight. By trusting God, we can turn tests into triumphs, defeating negative thoughts with His promises.

After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God delivered Israel through Moses, leading them to the brink of the Promised Land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:8). To prepare, Moses sent twelve leaders—one from each tribe—to spy out Canaan. Their mission: observe the people, cities, and land’s quality (Numbers 13:26-27). After 40 days, they returned with proof of abundance—fruit so rich the land flowed with “milk and honey.” The crowd buzzed with excitement; God’s promise was real. But then came a crushing “nevertheless” (Numbers 13:28, 31-33). Ten spies fixated on obstacles—strong people, fortified cities, giants—declaring, “We are not able.” Their negativity wasn’t just a report; it was rebellion against God’s word. Seeing themselves as “grasshoppers,” they assumed defeat, and their pessimism infected the people (Numbers 14:1-4).

Contrast this with Joshua and Caleb, who urged, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able” (Numbers 13:30). The divide was stark: the majority’s “we can’t” versus the minority’s “we can.” The ten trusted their fears; Joshua and Caleb trusted God’s faithfulness. Their story reveals how to move from doubt to victory by rejecting negativism and embracing God’s promises.

Negativism is contagious and costly. The ten spies’ “evil report” (Numbers 14:6-9) didn’t just voice bad news—it recommended disobedience, rooted in fear and unbelief. They stressed:

• But the people are strong.
• But the cities are fortified.
• But the giants are there.

This mindset spiraled into weeping, grumbling, and a desire to return to Egypt’s slavery rather than trust God for freedom. John Ortberg writes, “The single command in Scripture that occurs more often than any other is ‘Fear Not.’ Why? Because fear is the number one reason we avoid doing what God asks.” Negativism defeated Israel before they swung a sword, costing them the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb, from that generation, entered it. What negative thoughts are you entertaining? Try this: write one down, then counter it with a truth from God’s Word, like Psalm 103:2: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Rejecting the grasshopper mindset is the first step to triumph.

Joshua and Caleb saw giants not as threats, but as “bread” (Numbers 14:9)—sustenance for their faith. They trusted God’s track record: plagues on Egypt, the parted Red Sea, water in the desert, manna from heaven, and His guiding presence. Their confidence wasn’t blind; it was built on past victories. This principle holds today: past victories prepare you for future battles. When negative thoughts creep in, recall how God delivered you before—through financial strain, heartbreak, or doubt. He made a way then, and He will again.

Every promise from God comes with a call to obey and a challenge to overcome (Numbers 13:2; Hebrews 6:13-15). For Israel:

• The Promise: The land was theirs.
• The Call: Trust and obey God.
• The Challenge: Face giants and fight.

If giants loomed, God’s promise included war. If odds were overwhelming, His power was greater. Israel failed by refusing the challenge, but we don’t have to. Our journey mirrors theirs (Romans 15:4):

• Our Call: Be ambassadors for Christ, reflecting Him to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20).
• Our Promise: Jesus is with us, empowering us through His Spirit (Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:8).
• Our Challenge: Battle giants—negative thoughts, doubts, fears (1 Peter 5:8).

Why does God leave giants in our path? They:

• Teach us to fight.
• Expose our weaknesses.
• Reveal His strength.

Struggles refine us, like silver in a furnace (Malachi 3:3). They don’t just test us—they qualify us for God’s purpose.

A victorious life isn’t problem-free; it’s one where we overcome through faith and fight. As someone said, “The struggle, the fight, the warfare, the praying, the enduring, is as important as the blessing.” Struggles:

• Forge Faith: They push us to trust God, not ourselves (Psalm 23:4).
• Equip Us to Help Others: Our victories comfort those in pain (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
• Don’t Last Forever: Joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

Joshua and Caleb triumphed because they saw God’s promise, not the giants. Their faith silenced the crowd’s negativity. Today, your giants—fear, doubt, or a mindset of defeat—aren’t the end. They’re bread for your faith, food for your fight. Trust God’s power, reject negativism, and step into His victory.

What giants are you facing? A mindset that predicts failure? Fear that it’s too late for God’s best? Or the loneliness of believing amid doubters? Hear Joshua’s call: “Do not fear…for they are bread for us” (Numbers 14:9). Pull down negative thoughts and replace them with God’s Word. Write a promise like Numbers 13:30 and recite it until your lens shifts from giants to God. This week, reflect on past victories—how God provided, healed, or guided. Let them fuel your faith for today’s battles. There is always bread in the battle and food in the fight.

Memory Verse

“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’” (Numbers 13:30, ESV)

For more on this topic, listen to our sermon Endurance, Part 2: Defeating Your Giants: