The reason David knew God so well was because he was constantly under attack either by God’s people or God’s enemies. You see, David actually needed God. David’s life was one storm/battle after the other. If he wasn’t dealing with external enemies he was dealing with his internal demons. David had a target on his back and the devil constantly tried to take him out. Ergo, David, unlike most Christians, clung to God for deliverance and not MasterCard, Visa, American Express, mommy or daddy, alcohol, or prescription drugs.  Through all the BS David plowed through, he didn’t just barely make it. He grew like a weed. He thrived. He experienced God on a level that most Christians never will because most of the church does everything in its power to avoid pain and stress. David embraced the pain, relied heavily on God, and came to know God’s person and works in an amazing way that we’re fortunate to behold, especially in the Psalms.  David says in Psalm 4:1 and in Psalm 119:67, 68, and 71 that the distress and affliction that he went through, some via the hand of others and some created by his own stupid mistakes enlarged him and schooled him into keeping God’s word.

Please note — after the pain, at least in David’s life, came holy growth and a more circumspect walk with God.  David said that the distress and affliction allowing God is “good” and “does good.” Yes, David said God is and does good even when He allows for distress and affliction in our lives.  David, after getting jackhammered in life, didn’t curse God.  He didn’t join some radical anti-theistic Marxist cabal.  He didn’t become some pouty college dropout who gets a neck tattoo that says, “God sucks.” He didn’t get on Instagram and start caterwauling, “Why me, Lord?”

He had the maturity to roll with the punches and to understand that for God to grow us weird critters up and into something He’s not ashamed of (Hebrews 2:11), sometimes, oftentimes, He’s gotta pinch our gelatinous and insidious flesh (Hebrews 12:4-11).

David’s distress and affliction didn’t lead him to blame or get bitter at God. It led him to personal growth and a closer relationship with his Creator and that’s exactly how we should respond when life, for whatever reason, dropkicks us into leftfield.

When David had life knock him to the ground, he too saw that as an advantageous place to be because he understood that lowly position is a place enlargement of his person and his work and a great place to know God more deeply and see Him work more dramatically.

Herewith, are eight little nuggets on how to steady oneself for growth in God and in life when (not if) you get kicked in the teeth by some bad crap.

  • Stay objective. David said in Psalm 42:5, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help.”
  • Stay focused after getting pummeled. If you’re still breathing, there’s still hope.
  • Don’t freak out. When you act out of fear, that’s when you make some mondo mistakes (Deuteronomy 20:8). Remember when fear tries to take you over, God would never give you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
  • Be careful how you “see.” Can you see good in the bad? When Saul and Israel saw Goliath, they saw a giant that was too big to kill. When teenage David saw Goliath, he saw a giant that was too big to miss (1 Samuel 17:45-47). How do you “see” your obstacles?
  • Getting knocked down is par for the Christian course. Get up. Dust yourself off. Now, move forward in faith (1 John 5:5).
  • Do not worry about your life. (Matthew 6:25)
  • Say “whatever” or “not today” when Satan spews fear, terror, dread, panic and “fake news” into your noggin about your future (1 Peter 5:8). Defy your enemies. Prove everyone wrong.
  • Fix what you can fix. You always have an open door to God (1 Corinthians 16:9). There’s nothing keeping you from giving of your time, talent, and treasure. There’s nothing keeping you from loving more, caring more, and being available for whatever the hand of God needs doing.

Giles, Doug. Dear Christian Your Fear Is Full of Crap (p. 79-83). White Feather Press, LLC. Kindle Edition.