The Goliath Factor
What was Goliath thinking?
Euro 2012 is over and boy what a display by Spain last night, Wimbledon has started and already we see favourites have been defeated by unknowns and we are now preparing ourselves for the Olympics. What shocks and surprises will we hear and see? As we think about winners and losers, favourites and underdogs there is one story that everyone is familiar with and that is of David and Goliath
The story of how the underdog takes on the giant and wins is legendary. When we feel like the odds are against us we summon motivation from this story ready to battle with whatever challenge is presented to us. There is another view of the same story and a lot to learn I think if we look at the story from this different view point. It is what I am going to refer to as the Goliath factor.
As you know Goliath was a giant, a philistine standing at 7 feet tall. He was a warrior, a fighter and taunted the Israelites for 40 days to find someone to challenge him and seal the fate of their people by a one on one dual. If he were to be defeated then the Philistines would surrender. He was supremely confident but little did he know he was about to be defeated by a young man yet to prove himself as a warrior. He saw his opponent and must have thought this is not a fight, look at that puny little boy. There was nothing to be concerned about; this will be a walk in the park.
You and I know the story well, not only was David not intimidated but he was destined to defeat Goliath. The armour that was provided for him was too large and uncomfortable so he didn’t wear it. Goliath on the other hand, had full body armour. As David took up 5 stones, put one of them in his sling and then fired it into the head of Goliath the battle was over. David then removed the head of the giant and the Israelites were able to defeat the retreating Philistines.
I want you to consider examples of where you think you cannot be defeated, where the odds are in your favour. Take a bit of time because like Goliath you just don’t know what is around the corner. It doesn’t have to be sport or business it can be in any area of your life. Take Germany in the semi- finals of the Euro’s before the match no-one could have predicted Babotelli’s 2 fantastic goals. In fact many people had Germany as favourites to win the whole competition.
So back to you and I. What can we learn from the Goliath factor? – “the act of underestimating your opponent, challenge or circumstance as a result of being over confident in your own strengths and ability”
Well;
• Never forget your limitations it doesn’t matter how big you are it doesn’t mean you can’t be defeated,
• Don’t commit all your resources to just one fight; if you lose the battle you have also lost the war,
• Don’t boast about what you will do to intimidate your opponent it may serve to do just the opposite, inspiring greatness in them,
• The final one for me is don’t go against God’s will for yourself or any decision that you are making that is one battle you cannot win.
Finally let’s hope that in a few weeks’ time on that fated day when the competitors step out for the 100 metres final that one young man by the name of Usain Bolt does not fall victim to the Goliath factor.
