Giant Killers Review
Part Christian self-help book, part biblical exegesis, Giant Killers: Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities, emotional intelligence consultant and former pastor Steve Lawson, is a short but inspiring guide to help the reader overcome difficulties and become the best version of themselves. from you”. “What can you be?
Giant Killers begins by recounting the biblical story of David and Goliath, the story of how a little boy with faith was able to defeat a larger-than-life opponent. Lawson uses this story as the foreground of his entire book, encouraging the reader to conquer their own “giants”, relying on faith and grace. Divided into five subsections that emphasize a different character trait, each of these sections begins with a real-life story from someone close to Lawson. He identifies these individuals as “giant slayers,” meaning that he or she overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to overcome their fears and live their lives as good Christians. In addition to making the reader more relatable to the book, these short vignettes go a long way towards increasing the credibility of Lawson’s message, as these are ordinary people who have been shown to act as “giant killers”.
While each of the five subsections Lawson describes contain their own particular pieces of wisdom and guidance, “Section Two: Discipline” will especially resonate with American readers who are surrounded by a culture steeped in excess and consumerism. Lawson talks extensively about disciplining oneself in a loving, spiritual way that above all respects God’s view of oneself. Drawing on a variety of sources, ranging from the Bible to modern scholarship, Lawson highlights the importance of concepts such as training, self-regulation, control of one’s actions, and focus on the act of disciplined growth. All of these concepts underscore the essential notion that becoming the best version of yourself must take into account God’s vision of you, as well as recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses as a person.
“Part Four: Action” serves as another solid section of the book, providing the reader with essential tips on becoming a “giant slayer.” Among other advice, Lawson advises the reader not to separate the spiritual from the non-spiritual, to start small, and to study the scriptures for inspiration.
Written in a colloquial and often humorous tone, Giant Killers is clearly a labor of love on Steve Lawson’s part. Throughout, he skillfully uses examples from a variety of sources (the entire Christian canon, popular culture, and personal experience, to name a few) to strengthen his work and make it accessible to all readers. While Giant Killers will not appeal to those who are dismissive of spirituality, it will be useful and enlightening reading for Christians.