HOW TO WIN DURING SEASONS OF DIFFICULTY
-by Dr. John Tetsola

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

1 Samuel 17:37

Consider for a moment David in his battle with Goliath and how God gave him victory. How was he able to stand against the giant when the army of Israel pulled back in fear? Here is how David did it, and this is what we must do to gain victory during seasons of difficulty in a leader’s life. There are five principles David applied.

• First, his perspective differed from others. Perspective is how you view things. David viewed his problem (Goliath) from Gods point of view. While others saw a problem, David saw an opportunity. A leader’s ability to be successful in difficult seasons has to do with how he views his problem. He can either see it as an opportunity, or as an end in itself. When a leader possesses the right perspective, difficulties become spring-boards to God’s attainment.

• Second, his method differed from others. David decided to use proven weapons that he knew would work. The true weapon of victory for a leader must be spiritual. Sometimes in our desire to resolve problems and difficulties in our lives, we compromise standards and take short cuts and end up using weapons of the flesh that become detrimental to our destiny in the long-run. In spite of how difficult a situation is, determine to use the right weapons–the weapons of God. David depended on the Lord for his victory and we must also.

• Third, his conviction differed from others. David knew God so much that the threat of Goliath could not change his conviction. While others were scared and running from the battle, David was bold and running to the battle. He would not allow anything to deter him from his intended goal. Conviction is the foundation upon which true leaders stand to accomplish the purposes of God. And when a leader’s conviction is shaky in his area of pursuit, it weakens his faith for victory in the seasons of difficulty. David heard Goliath’s threats against the God of Israel and knew God could beat him.

• Fourth, his vision differed from others. David had a vision that was bigger than himself. Vision is the expectation of your future that is coming into view in your present. David saw a future greater than his present with Goliath’s defeat. Vision is everything. Vision releases passion for pursuit and for the accomplishment of a God desire. When a leader lacks vision, he is blind and unable to bring his future into his present. David wanted to make Yahweh known to the world as the most powerful God on earth.

• Finally, his attitude differed from others. Attitude determines our altitude. Part of a leader’s height of accomplishment comes from right attitude. A leader who maintains a right attitude gets promoted at the right time. Attitude has to do with part of our character. Character will take you where your gift can’t take you. David brought to the battlefield past victories over a lion and bear, not months of paralyzing fear. He saw Goliath not as a threat too big to hit, but as a target too big to miss.