WHAT DO YOU SEE:

“Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."~Numbers 13:30 – 33

These are my thoughts on the Giants. Being as the New York Giants just won the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, you may believe that I this will be about football.

Well……..yes, and no!

If you are not a football fan, you can still see clearly the thoughts I would like to point out here. As always with my writing, this is all about life and purpose, so please indulge me for a moment. It is my prayer that you are blessed by my thoughts on the Giants.

I have to begin with a couple of questions. What do you see when you see yourself? Is your view of yourself dependent upon your circumstances and the issues that surround you?

It was for the Israelite spies who were sent to survey the land that God had already promised them through Moses. In fact, God had already brought them through “hell and high water” to get them to yet another place of deliverance. Caleb heard the report of the spies that the land was exactly as God had promised. A land that flowed with milk and honey. A place that would allow them to prosper in all ways. A place where they could thrive as a people. A land of abundance and vitality. Because God promised them this land, Caleb was ready to take possession because he knew that God was righteous and trustworthy. He knew that God would allow them to be victorious in possessing the land.

But, the spies soured the report by throwing fear and doubt into the picture. Not only that, they hindered the task at hand by viewing themselves as mere “grasshoppers” in the presence of the inhabitants. Thus sealing their destiny. Because they saw themselves as defeated, they knew that they would be seen as grasshoppers in the sight of the “giants”.

Isn’t that just like us? How many times have you not achieved something because you quickly claimed defeat for yourself even before you set out to succeed?
It’s simple. If you believe that you can’t, then you won’t.

The New York Giants were seen as mere grasshoppers in the eyes of most people compared to the New England Patriots over the past two weeks. With good reason, I must say. The Patriots were a dynasty this season. A powerhouse. They were undefeated, heading into the Super Bowl with a perfect record of 18 – 0. They won all of the regular season and post-season games. It was expected that they would have an absolute perfect season by winning the big one – the Super Bowl.
The Giants started off the season on a rocky foot. They’ve had many ups and downs. They were not perfect. Many wondered if quarterback Eli Manning had what it took to lead his team to victory. Yet, no one doubted that quarterback Tom Brady of the Patriots would win…….yet again! This man has won several Super Bowls in the past. Manning had never even stepped foot into a Super Bowl, other than to cheer his big brother Peyton on in last year’s Super Bowl.

I rooted for Eli and the Giants. Perhaps my reasoning was not technical, or realistic, or even savvy. I simply believed that regardless of the obstacles ahead of them, it was possible for them to win. I was told by some (my own husband included) that my thinking was not logical. I was told that that the Patriots were too strong for the Giants. The Giants went in as the underdogs.

All I kept saying was that it was possible for them to win. I truly believed that.
Obviously the Giants believed it themselves because they won!!!
What lessons did I see in this great “upset”?

1. You don’t have to be perfect to be successful.
2. No matter how big the competition is, you can still stand up and be victorious.
3. With God, all things are possible.
4. You have to see yourself as a winner – even against the odds.
5. Others see you as you see yourself.

We face many obstacles in our lives. We are often told that we don’t have what it takes to get the job done. We are plagued with images of the powerful and it is easy for us to believe that we are powerless in comparison. It is difficult to achieve significant feats in the face of adversity, particularly without support from others.

It is important for us to drop the “underdog” mentality in our lives. If we continue to allow giant and even apparent impossible circumstances poison our minds, we will never be able to stand.

Whatever you’re facing right now can be viewed as the Super Bowl of your life. Are you going to allow the naysayers to hold you back? How long will you allow your view of yourself to be distorted due to your lack of confidence?
Snap out of it! Remember Philippians 4:13 – You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Stop telling yourself that you can’t! Otherwise, you won’t.
The choice is yours.

© February 4, 2008