Facing a Familiar Challenge?

I see some people coming against a familiar challenge. Something you have faced before and thought you were done with. You sigh with discouragement, thinking "what did I do wrong? Why is this dragging me down again? I thought I was over this!" Almost everyone knows the account in 1 Samuel 17 where a young, brave David takes on the giant Philistine Goliath with only five small stones. In an incredible victory for God, the boy after God's heart defied all odds and expectations. But the Philistines came back again. "Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him." 1 Samuel 19:8 And again. "When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold." 2 Samuel 5:17 And again. "Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted". 2 Samuel 21:15 And again. "In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob." 2 Samuel 21:18 And again. "In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[b] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[c]Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha." 2 Samuel 21:19-20 You may find yourself (like David in 2 Samuel 21:15) just exhausted. If you're in this place, the Lord says, "Do not feel defeated because this has come against you again. You have done nothing except present a threat to My enemies. Do not let yourself grow weary wondering when the onslaughts will end, but press into Me, and draw from My strength. It was never your own hand that gave you victory anyway. As in Psalm 44:3, 'It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was [My] right hand, [My] arm, and the light of [My] face, for [I] loved them'. Remember, beloved, that you WILL win if you don't sit down and quit in defeat before you see the end of the war. I have already paid for your victory in full, and I will get what I paid for. And while you see all of these battles as hardships, I see them as badges of honor... Victories that will bring me glory and bring you closer to My plans for you. Keep fighting!!! If you are weary, I will give you new strength. The strength gained in the process of battle will equip you for what lies ahead. All it takes - all it has ever taken - is unity with My spirit. Together we can overcome the odds."