The honey badger is perhaps the world’s most daring animal. Although fearsome predators like lions and tigers dwarf her in size, they stand better advised never to cross her path the wrong way. Against all odds the honey badger will take on any adversary, and what is most striking is that she will not give in until her nemesis bows. If you ever meet one, do not think too highly of yourself based on your size. The honey badger has something far more significant: the fighting spirit.

As believers, God has also given us a fighting spirit to dare any giant that sets itself against us. Consider David. When he faced Goliath—a giant who had struck terror in all the Israelites—David knew God had given him a fighting spirit, and so he cried: “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’” (1 Samuel 17:45). With that spirit he slayed down Goliath the giant!

When Moses sent out twelve men to explore the nearby land and they returned trembling with fear because of the giants they had seen, there were two who refused to be shaken. While the rest melted with fear, they implored: “Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:9 NIV). That fighting spirit enabled them to see the promised land.

The Apostle Paul showed a fighting spirit even before his captors: “As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, ‘Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?’” (Acts 22:25). He did this because he knew the God he believed in.

God has given every believer a fighting spirit. Whatever giant is encroaching upon you—be it health, finances, business threats, or job pressure—you are like a honey badger, able to stand up to it and make it bow. Go out with the fighting spirit because God is with you!

Reflection: Am I faced with a situation that is causing me to melt with fear and doubt, forgetting that with God I can overcome any giant?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Almighty God, You have given me a fighting spirit to overcome any giant. Where there is fear, I overcome any giant before me with courage, knowing that “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” ( Phillipians 413). This I pray in Jesus’ name.