Enemy Intel: When They See the Giant in You That You Don't

The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Judges 6:12).

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered if God made a mistake? If He chose the wrong person for the assignment He’s placed before you? Friend, if you’ve ever felt this way, you’re in excellent company. Pull up a chair, and let’s talk about one of my favorite biblical underdogs -Gideon.

When Your Enemy Sees What You Don’t

There’s a fascinating moment in Judges 8 that’s easy to overlook. God instructs Gideon to sneak down to the Midianite camp and eavesdrop on the enemy’s conversations. What Gideon overheard must have shocked him to his core:

Listen to this,” he said. “I had a dream. A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon, son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.(Judges 7:13-14).

Can you imagine that moment? Gideon- the same man who was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from these very enemies, the same man who needed multiple fleece confirmations - discovers that his enemies see him as a formidable force. They’re afraid of him!

Your Self-Doubt Doesn’t Cancel God’s Calling

What makes Gideon’s story so relatable is his overwhelming self-doubt. When God first approached him with, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” Gideon’s response was essentially, “Me? Are you sure you have the right address?” His perception of himself was clear: youngest son, smallest clan, hiding in fear. But God’s perception? Mighty warrior.

Isn’t that just like God? When we’re painfully aware of our weaknesses, He sees the strength He’s already placed within us. When fear paralyzes us, He recognizes the master strategist He created us to be.

Weakness: Your Greatest Qualification

Here’s something counterintuitive but deeply Biblical: your weakness actually qualifies you for God’s use. That’s not a typo!

But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When you’re fully conscious of your inadequacies, you become entirely reliant on God. And that dependency- not your talent, confidence, or resources- is what God is looking for.

Gideon didn’t realize he was a masterful military strategist because fear clouded his self-image. Yet God saw past the fear to the potential He had placed within him.

Beyond Your Abilities

God’s calling will continually challenge you to go beyond your natural abilities. If your assignment feels completely manageable within your own strength, you might want to check if it’s truly God’s assignment. The beautiful truth is that you can be afraid and still keep going. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward despite it. Gideon was terrified, yet he still answered the call. He still led the army. He still secured the victory.

Your Enemies Serve a Purpose

This might be hard to hear, but without your enemies, God has no table to prepare before you in their presence (Psalm 23:5). Those who oppose, doubt or even gossip about you often serve a divine purpose in your journey. Like Gideon discovering how the Midianites truly perceived him, sometimes God uses unlikely sources to reveal the strengths we can’t see in ourselves. The very people meant to discourage you might inadvertently confirm God’s calling on your life.

Enemies also keep us at the feet of God. When opposition rises, our prayer life deepens. Our dependency grows. Our character develops. So when you hear your enemies, don’t despair; worship instead. Their presence often indicates you’re on the right path.

Adjusting Your Self-Perception

So what do we do when our self-perception doesn’t align with God’s perception of us? How do we close that gap?

1. Listen to God’s voice above all others- especially your inner critic.

2. Pay attention to confirmations, even from unlikely sources.

3. Focus on God’s sufficiency rather than your insufficiency.

4. Take one obedient step at a time, even with trembling knees.

5. Remember that feeling inadequate doesn’t mean you are inadequate.

Like Gideon, you may not feel like a ‘mighty warrior.’ You may feel more like someone hiding in a winepress, trying to survive. But God sees beyond your current circumstances to the strength He’s already placed within you. The question isn’t whether you have what it takes – it’s whether you’ll trust the One who knows exactly what He created you to do.

What has God called you to that feels beyond your capabilities? Remember, if the assignment defies human reasoning, God’s likely tipping you off to the magnitude of strength He’s placed inside you. You may be surprised to discover that everyone else already sees the Giant In You That You Don't.