There are three things you need to do to help you go beyond your limits:

1. You increase by setting goals.
2. You increase by the words you speak.
3. You increase by taking decisive action.

David triumphed over Goliath. David put his faith into action. David set a goal to kill the giant. David spoke to the giant and said what he was going go do to him. Then, David did what he said. Let us look more closely at these principles at work in David's triumph over Goliath.

David Set a Goal to Kill the Giant
David set a goal to kill the giant Goliath. David analyzed his circumstances. He assessed his risks and rewards. He asked questions and found out that the man who killed Goliath would receive financial rewards, freedom from taxes and the king's daughter in marriage.

David knew what the rewards would be when he accomplished his goal.

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. And the men of Israel said, "Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel."

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, "So shall it be done to the man that killeth him."
(1 Sam. 17:24-27)

David developed a plan. He took with him his staff, his slingshot and five smooth stones. David prepared for battle by taking familiar weapons.

The king tried to give David his bulky armor and sword. David did not take them because he had not proved them in battle (1 Sam. 17:38-39).

He knew how to use his staff and sling as effective weapons. Shepherds had to use them to defend their flocks. David knew how to accurately sling stones, but he was not used to a sword and armor. He chose weapons he knew how to use.

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine.

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?" And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field."
(1 Sam. 17:40-44)

David Spoke to the Giant
David told the giant he was going to kill him. This was no idle threat. David was experienced. He had already killed a lion and a bear while protecting his family's sheep (1 Sam. 17:34-37).

David knew he was in covenant with God. He knew this giant, an uncircumcised Philistine, was not in covenant with God. David spoke faith-filled words. David knew God was able to help him defeat his enemies. David could boldly declare he was going to kill Goliath.

Then said David to the Philistine, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."
(1 Sam. 17:45-47)

David Put His Faith into Action
David did more than prepare to do battle and talk about it. He took immediate action. He followed through with his plan. David put his faith into action.

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
(1 Sam. 17:48-51)

David believed God was going to help him and he put his faith into action. The Bible says David "hasted." In other words, David was in a hurry to take out the giant.

He ran toward the giant and slung one of the stones. He hit the giant right between the eyes and knocked him out. He took the giant's sword from him and cut his head off.

David carried the giant's head around in triumph. The men of Israel were encouraged by David's triumph and they went on to win a great victory over the Philistine army.

When God helped David accomplish his goal, it brought great glory to God. David had a goal. He told the giant what he was going to do to him. David took decisive action. He succeeded in his goal, and then he triumphed over his enemy.

If a teenager like David can triumph over his enemy, you can triumph over your problems and circumstances. It does not matter how young or old you are, with the help of God, all things are possible for those who believe.

Put Your Faith into Action
You can apply action to your goals just like David. These principles will work for you in any area of life. These principles will work for anything: making financial investments, improving your marriage, increasing your ministry, etc. You can set goals, speak to your circumstances and take decisive action.

Follow through with your goals. Follow through with your words. God rewards those who put their faith in action. Faith with action is a live vital faith. Faith with action moves mountains and slays giants. Faith with action causes you to triumph and give glory to God.

Source: No More Limits by Happy Caldwell
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers