Title:
Steve Lawson
Author: Giant Killers: Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 144
Genre: Christian/Christian Living/Personal Growth
Author: Giant Killers: Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 144
Genre: Christian/Christian Living/Personal Growth
It seemed a lopsided battle. On
one side, a small shepherd with a sling and five stones. On the other, a
heavily armored ten-foot giant whose taunts and challenges immobilized an army
of seasoned warriors. The story of David and Goliath has become an almost
universal underdog story; but in reality, Goliath never stood a chance.
In Giant Killers, emotional intelligence speaker, consultant, and
author Steve Lawson identifies the five vital emotional and social skills David
possessed: identity, discipline, graciousness, action, and hope. When combined
with the power of God’s grace, these strengths made it possible for David to
defeat Goliath, build a mighty army out of social rejects, and establish the
greatest kingdom in the history of Israel.
Identity. Discipline.
Graciousness. Action. Hope. These five important emotional skills establish how
we perceive and express ourselves—and how willingly we seize the opportunities
God provides. Who better to demonstrate these powerful traits than David, who
slew his own giant?
We all face giants in our
lives—challenges and obstacles that intimidate us, limit our potential, and
keep us from moving forward. It’s easy to feel like David fighting Goliath. And
that’s good—because David won. Like David, we can overcome any challenge,
seizing with confidence the opportunities God places in our path. Giant Killers teaches you how to do so,
providing a foundation on which you can build success after success. It all
begins with you—and your willingness to trust in God’s grace.
For More Information
- Giant Killers: Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities is available at Amazon.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Book Excerpt:
He was just one man. One man
standing in a valley, facing an army of thousands of seasoned warriors on a
mountainside who were trembling in fear. Sure he was almost ten feet tall. Sure
his armor alone weighed more than any man facing him. But still … he was just
one man! Compared to the strength of an entire army, he was insignificant. But
still they hid. For almost six weeks, one man brought an entire army to a
standstill.
In 1 Samuel 17, David walked into a mess. He
was sent by his father to take some food to his brothers serving in Israel’s army. When he got there, he found the
entire army cowering in fear from one man—Goliath. Israel was at war with the Philistines, and each
army was camped on opposing hills with the intention of doing battle in the
valley between them.
Before the first battle, a
nine-foot-nine-inch giant named Goliath walked out and challenged the army of Israel. If someone came out to fight him and won,
the Philistines would be Israel’s slaves. If Goliath won, Israel would be slaves of the Philistines. This
went on for forty days with Goliath issuing his challenge and taunting the
frightened soldiers. But then David showed up.
It’s a familiar story. David, a young
shepherd (approximately sixteen years old), was sent by his father to deliver
food to his brothers. He heard Goliath’s taunt and volunteered to fight him.
Word got to King Saul, who argued that David had neither the skill nor the
experience to face Goliath, but David prevailed. Saul tried giving David his
armor, but it was too big for him. So, armed with a slingshot and five stones,
he ran out to face Goliath. On his first try, he hit Goliath in the head and
knocked him out. He then took Goliath’s sword and cut off his head, at which
time the Philistine army fled. Israel then chased them down, defeated them, and
the battle was won.
We all have giants in our lives: issues
holding us back, immobilizing fear, intimidating opportunities, attitudes and
life experiences keeping us from moving forward (guilt, insecurity, broken
relationships, apathy, passivity, etc.). These issues become our glass ceiling,
keeping us from reaching our full potential. A young mother struggles with
insecurity and fear and seems unable to make even the simplest decision. A
corporate executive has marriage and financial problems keeping him tied up in
knots, hampering his productivity and focus. A small church feels God calling
them to plant other churches, but the enormity of the task is daunting.
Giants come in all forms. Some are
obstacles, internal and external, blocking our forward progress; and some are
opportunities, desires, and dreams, threatening to overwhelm us. And we wonder
if we’re up for the task. The question is, How do we face them and ultimately
conquer them?
Giant
Killers is rooted in the
studies of emotional intelligence by Dr. Reuven Bar-On[1]
and Daniel Goleman.[2]
Emotional intelligence is a
set of emotional and social skills that collectively establish how well we
perceive and express ourselves, develop and maintain social relationships, cope
with challenges, make decisions, and handle stress. These concepts, when combined with the power of God’s grace, will enable
believers to not only overcome any obstacle, but will prepare them to seize
opportunities as well. What better place to see this played out than in the
life of King David as he faced Goliath and led Israel.
So if you want to take on the giants in your life, then read on and
let’s explore how each of us can become a giant killer.
What better place to see this played out
than in the life of King David as he faced Goliath and led Israel.
So if you want to take on the giants in your life, then read on and
let’s explore how each of us can become a giant killer.
About the Author
A former small-business owner and church planter, Steve
Lawson recently stepped down as the senior pastor of Grace
Community Church
in Greenville, Texas,
to focus on his writing, speaking, and leadership training activities.
He holds a doctor of strategic leadership degree from Regent
University, a master of divinity
degree from The King’s University, an MBA from Amberton
University, and a bachelor’s degree
in business administration from the University
of North Texas.
Lawson owns Leadership Transformation Inc., providing
emotional intelligence training and consulting to organizations of all sizes.
More information on his consulting services is available at www.leadershiptransformation.net.
An avid blogger and writer, Lawson is available for speaking engagements in
churches, seminars, and conferences. You can contact him at www.stevelawson.us.
He and his wife, Karen, live in Greenville,
Texas. They are the parents of three grown
daughters.
His latest book is the Christian/Christian living/personal
growth book, Giant
Killers: Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities.
For More Information
- Visit Steve Lawson’s website.
- Connect with Steve on Facebook and Twitter.
- Find out more about Steve at Goodreads.
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