Spiritual and Emotional Wellness

A Biblical Meditation On Overcoming Negative Influences On Your Journey.


Negative influences from your family of origin, people in authority, and Satan contribute to your emotional brokenness and the development of a false self. David is an example of how knowing yourself and knowing God can give victory over the negative influences of family, authority figures and the enemy.

1. Overcoming negative messages from family.

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 1 Sam 17:28-29 (KJV).

“What have I done now?” – apparently David was accustomed to abuse from his family. He is the victim of an angry outburst, misunderstanding, put down, and slander. The message- “loser.” Maybe you can identify with David here. However, David is able to cut through this family dynamic. He knew himself and he knew God. Certainly his meditations while tending his flock must have been a contributing factor.

2. Overcoming negative influence from people in authority.

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 1 Sam 17:33 (KJV).

David experiences another put down this time from a man of experience. But David knows God.

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. 1 Sam 17:37 (KJV).

Since David is so confident based upon his knowledge of God, Saul responded:

“…go, and the LORD be with thee. 38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 1 Sam 17:37-39 (KJV).

Saul wanted to change David into someone he was not. David overcomes Saul’s influence and trusts in who he is and in his” gift”.

“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” 1 Sam 17:40 (KJV).

David was skilled in the use of the slingshot. This skill was developed over time in his life as he cared for his father’s sheep. This was his gift. Armed with his gift and confidence in God, David confronts the enemy.

“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: “ 1 Sam 17:42 (KJV).

Another put down. This time from a giant followed by a serious threat;

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 1 Sam 17:43-44 (KJV).

Neither the put down or the threat left David paralysed with fear because he knew God and he knew himself.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; 1 Sam 17:45-46 (KJV).

David’s “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” is seen in what motivated him to be the man God wanted him to be.

This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Sam 17:46 (KJV).

David is blessed with commonsense. He’s not going out there being dependent on

doing the right thing, so people will love him. David’s not doing it out of guilt and sorrow for Israel. David’s not doing it to keep the peace and make everybody happy saying, “Okay, I’ll sacrifice myself. I’ll be the one who dies for everybody else.” David’s not saying I must succeed, so I will get my name written in the history books, so I’ll finally make an impact in life and my life will be worth something. David’s not saying I’ll do this so I don’t look stupid or so I can finally achieve something. No, his motive is absolutely pure; there is not a trace of pride here. He is totally transparent. It is clearly stated what his motive is, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Sam 17:46 (KJV).

This is why David was able to fulfil God’s purpose. He functioned with integrity, out of a true self who knew God.

David is a prototype of Jesus.

-- David’s the savior. David’s the deliverer. David’s the warrior. David’s the anointed one. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is our deliverer. Jesus is our warrior. Jesus is our anointed one.

The real Goliath is Satan. And Jesus came to earth to conquer Satan in death. Jesus fought the giant and brought him down. He rose from the dead and gives to us salvation. He gives to us forgiveness. He gives to us the Spirit that lives inside of us by grace. And so now like the Israelite army, we can get out of our trenches and go fight the enemies and the giants in our lives because Christ has gone before us. Because David defeated Goliath, the armies of Israel followed. Because Jesus has defeated the powers of darkness, God enables us to get up and actually defeat that which lies in front of us and become whom God called us to be. However we have to exercise faith and courage like David and get up. We can’t do this till we are right with God. It’s all by grace that we can get up and move out. We have to be honest about who we are and who God is.

I encourage you to continue to meditate on 1 Samuel 17 and as the power of the Holy Spirit is released from the Word of God, apply it to some area in your emotional brokenness that needs healing. Allow transformation to occur as you continue your journey to Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.