What can you do to overcome this? What did David do to overcome the 3 different levels of mocking?
When David’s elder brother mocked him and his request to fight the giant, David wasn’t offended and didn't become aggressive and said enough is enough, I am going to put limits to this coward who is afraid of confronting the enemy.
David didn't exalt himself in speech, even though he was braver and gifted, and after all, his real enemy wasn’t his brother, he was always focused that I am my brother’s guardian and I am fighting for him and for all my people.
David was a peacemaker; his maturity was shown by the peaceful and respectful way he answered back to his brother.
"What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question!"” 1 Samuel 17:29.
Had David defended himself, he would have started a battle of restoring his reputation and would have delayed the real battle, but he was a man of no reputation (see Philippians 2:7).
How can you overcome the mocking of the elders in your church, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and even your earthly family?
Read with me David’s heart in Psalm 109:4 “I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations, even as I am praying for them!”
David knew how to overcome mockery and accusations; he was a man of prayer!
He was not praying for himself, for protection or something else, although it is not wrong to do so, but he was "praying for them".
This is his secret of victory; this is the secret to going on and growing in your relationship with the Lord and in ministry and to staying offense free. This is the secret to continuing your race and finishing strong with a crown of glory; this is the secret for, not staying bitter in your dark pit, in your deepest well. Praying, loving and forgiving!
Jesus said in Matthew 5: 43- 48 “You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.]
Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."”