The Giant of Adult Responsibilities
I remember how eager I was to graduate from high school and make my own decisions. My teachers would often encourage me to enjoy childhood but adulthood at the time was seemingly the best thing since slice bread. The independence, the liberty, the opportunities; I was so ready to do this! What a disappointment I got when I came face to face with the responsibilities of an adult. Now, I wish I still had someone to make the decisions for me because there are days when I wake up and I still just want to sleep. Adulthood is no fun! Listen to this slayer…
Your giants are as big as you allow them to be!
In life we face giants that often seems very impossible to defeat, but I do believe we already have the victory in Jesus. This journey of life can be rough at times, so many difficult and seemingly insurmountable encounters along the way. Growing up with many girly and childish fantasies yet no true and comprehensive understanding of life I decided to leave my parents’ house at the age of 19. I left out of frustration for many different reasons yet with the desire to better myself. Upon leaving, technically to live on my own, because though I was living with my sister we lived very independently. I had to finance myself with only a stipend of a little over ten thousand dollars fortnightly, out of that I had to deduct my rent, utility bills, food expense and travel expense. I was living on a very tight budget and I had no choice but to trust God every step of the way.
During this phase of life many questions flashed through my mind as to how I would survive this ‘faith move’. At that point I would have already concluded that going back to my parents’ house wasn’t an option. I must admit that it was very scary at first. For one, I did not have any idea as to what I was doing, I started unadvisedly thus being very ignorant. I didn’t know what it would feel like, neither did I know what to expect. It wasn’t the best situation a young adult could find herself in but it was a learning experience. I had to pull myself together, get my mind ready and amour myself for battle; it was time to face this giant head on.
As a young female self-sustained I had to learn quickly how to budget and spend wisely. Other responsibilities I had to face up to were preparing meals (which was not difficult to do in and of itself but became a competition when other factors and chores were vying for my time, thus dry goods became my easy way out), doing my laundry, keeping a clean and tidy home environment, my involvement in ministry and taking care of myself while doing a regular 9-5 job, which sometimes included a shift from 12midday-8pm. Since it was my first time having to do all these things almost alone, it was challenging. I was almost always tired. I had days when I wished someone could help me along the way. I did not get it all right at the beginning. It was a process of gradually learning to use my time and resources wisely and properly.
And if that was not enough to contend with, I started college the following August. That for me meant added financial burden, added competition for my time and added stress. Yet for my ambition and for the attainment of my goals I would not have it any other way. Upon starting school I had no clue as to how I’d pay my tuition, I had settled my thoughts and student loan wasn’t an option. My first semester was awful I must say in complete honesty. I was not ready mentally, emotionally, financially or spiritually. Thus I failed in areas I could have mastered if I had started on a better foundation. The thoughts of how I’d get the fees paid dominated. I did not think about what was of a good report as the scripture recommends. All I saw was negatives and failed efforts. I did not remind myself about the facts of life, the greatest reality; my God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or even think. I barely made it through my first year of college, though my God opened doors I was still not on par mentally and spiritually.
There is an undeniable truth that needs to be bold and underlined in each and every one of us lives; we are never our best if we are spiritually lacking. As a believer you may be succeeding in areas of your life and still feel unaccomplished and dissatisfied, check your spiritual account! Peace and contentment is only achieved when we recklessly abandon our lives to the Lord. When it is well with our souls, given diligence and being faithful stewards it will be seen and reflected in all other aspects of our lives.
I am now, two years later, on a mission of finding the purpose of my life. It is not in the job I do, the bills I pay or the courses that I have to study so hard to pass. I have a concluded opinion, it lies in a life that is lived solely to please and honour God. I have not attain a consistent prayer life, but I am getting there. My appetite for the Word of God is not as strong as other earthly desires that I have but I am pressing. I will get it right!
In retrospect of my life from leaving home until now, let’s see: I’ve never once gone to bed without food unless I chose to. Every month my bills were paid with the stipend that I was receiving. How big do you see your giant? When I started out I did not know that I would have made it, many hiccups along the way but I survived! All glory belong to the One who causes us always to triumph, even in my failures, He has been faithful!
In defeating your giant you have to first face up to it. Acknowledge that this is a giant. Don’t be afraid to express your anxieties, doubts and fears to the Lord, it is a part of the process to gain victory. When God knows where we are, we give Him access to work and take us where He wants us to be. When David was going to defeat Goliath, he was not just looking at his size or considering the things he didn’t have to face this giant. However, he started from a place a familiarity; his knowledge of who God is and what God can do. He used what was available and proven by him, a simple sling and five smooth stones. David did not do what many of us are doing, that is, running from our giants. David ran towards the giant, he understood that if God was for Him nothing could stand against him, we all know how that story ended. We can apply these principles to defeat our giants and rest assured that at the end there is victory.
Even though I didn’t understand most of what I was doing at the time, God did not leave me for a moment on this journey. He was patient and forgiving. He stood by me in my mess. Thus I had purposed in my mind that I would get through my storm, I know I would become victorious in the end.
Currently, I am no longer employed which means I have no source of income. I still have responsibilities, my bills still require monthly payments. Yet, in all this I am not worried one bit.
Often times we allow our giants to consume our minds and we are defeated before we even attempt to fight. Let us not allow our giants to conquer us, neither in our minds nor in any other way. Let the fight begin! Be reminded that it is through prayer, fasting and applying the Word of God that we overcome these giants because the bible declares: “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, KJV). The battle with our giant is not physical but a spiritual one, so fight right! God bless you all. Be encouraged! – Anonymous.
Prayer: From before my mother’s womb You knew me, every detail of my personality and every information about my family history. You were there when I made bad decisions, You were there when in actions and deeds I denied You, yet in all my failures You have still been faithful. Lord, I have no manual to get through this phase of my life but Your Words are my guide and the foundation I am standing on. So many decisions are before me each day to make, from what to prepare for dinner to who I should date, give me clarity each step of the way Abba Father. Guide my steps less I stray. My life is in Your hands. Grant me Your peace that surpasses human comprehension. Fed me daily with Your bread from heaven, let Your living water quench my thirsty soul, sweep over me precious Lord and take complete control. Amen.
I don’t know about you but adulthood can be very challenging! Not every family offers the support and guidance that young people need in this transitional phase, but, we all have a friend in Jesus! He promised to pick us up when all others have forsaken or proven to be unhelpful. I pray you find encouragement in this slayer’s experience and be reminded that Jehovah Jireh is still providing for His people. There is this old song we normally sing: “He’s ALWAYS looking out for me, ALWAYS busy opening doors that I don’t even see. I don’t have to worry cause He takes good care of me, Jesus is looking out for me.” My brothers and sisters, Jesus is looking out for you! Keep sweet. The next slayer is only a post a way, please stay alert.
The Pilgrimage 