Have you ever been around a group of friends and shared aloud that you were going to do something significant, expecting approval, only to hear shrieks of disbelief and disapproval? It could be a kid who says they are going to apply to an elite school, only to be told their kind can’t make it there. Maybe someone is sharing about starting a business, but instead of showing support, the friends just give her a cold stare.

David faced exactly that, and how he reacted should be a comfort to us. When one day his father, Jesse, sent him out to take a snack to his brothers at war, he found a giant threatening Israel with all kinds of doomsday warnings. David was shocked and offered himself to fight the giant. However, instead of being encouraged, his very own brother turned on him. “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” (1 Samuel 17:28). Talk about a letdown!

David could have been discouraged; after all, it was a much older and more experienced brother of his tearing him down. But “What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (v. 32). Although Saul also attempted to discourage him against what presumed to be a suicide mission, he ultimately let him go after David professed his faith in God: “Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you.’” (v. 37). The rest is history: David slew the feared giant.

The lesson here is that we, too, may often face discouragement, and perhaps even more hurting, from those closest to us! But God is telling us to look up to Him. We might hear voices of disapproval when we set out to do great things, but ultimately what is God saying? That is what should be our focus.