Podcast Summary: "A Diet Of Giants, Part One" — Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast

Date: October 28, 2021
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne delivers a message titled "A Diet Of Giants, Part One," focusing on how believers should confront opposition and obstacles in their faith journey. Drawing inspiration from the biblical account in Numbers 13-14, Nancy contrasts the mindset of faith (exemplified by Joshua and Caleb) with doubt and unbelief (shown by the other ten spies), ultimately teaching that opposition should be seen as spiritual nourishment—"bread"—rather than defeat. The episode is designed to encourage listeners to develop right, God-centered thinking and to respond to challenges with faith-filled words and attitudes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Expect Opposition When Obeying God

• Timestamp 01:12 — 03:00
  • Nancy opens by preparing listeners: saying "yes" to God inevitably brings opposition from the enemy.
  • The right mindset about opposition turns it from a setback into a launching pad:

    "Opposition is not a negative as long as we think right... those oppositions become a place of propelling us forward instead of a place of pushing us back." (02:32)

2. The Story of the Twelve Spies

• Timestamp 03:05 — 09:10
  • Nancy walks through Numbers 13:
    • God grants Israel the land of Canaan and instructs them to possess it—even before they face obstacles.
    • Ten spies return with a "bad report" (doubt/unbelief), focusing on giants and obstacles; Joshua and Caleb return with a "faith report" focused on God's promise.
    • God doesn't mention giants to the spies; for God, the obstacles are inconsequential compared to His promise.

    "When God gave them the land, he also built into what he gave them is built in victory. To take possession of that land, all God needs them to do is show up and take possession..." (05:03)

3. The Contrast: Right vs. Wrong Thinking

• Timestamp 09:15 — 16:40
  • Right thinking: Joshua and Caleb factor in God’s ability; they speak faith and urge immediate obedience.

    “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30, 10:13)

  • Wrong thinking: The ten spies focus only on themselves and circumstances; they leave God out.

    “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” (Numbers 13:31, paraphrased at 11:10)

  • Wrong thinking is verbose, trying to "sell" doubt—80+ words vs. Caleb's 17 words of faith.

    “Doubt has to do a sales job on you... Caleb only spoke 17 words because he has the foundation of God’s word.” (14:54)

4. Excuses vs. Faith: Overcoming Slave Mentality

• Timestamp 16:45 — 20:40
  • Nancy highlights how Israel's long period in slavery affected their mindset. They expected things to be handed to them and resisted facing challenges.
  • Faith requires actively taking what God promises—not expecting blessings to "float" into your life.

    “God's blessings will not just float into your life. You're going to have to stand up in faith and lay hold of things. And you're going to have to bypass opposition instead of back down from opposition…” (19:07)

5. Power of Words: Speaking God’s Promises

• Timestamp 20:45 — 26:25
  • The Israelites’ downfall: letting the words of doubt lead their thoughts and decisions.
  • God gives us the answer—what to say to opposition—“God gave us this land.”

    “At every turn of opposition, you just keep saying what God says.” (23:14)

  • When facing anything, bringing God’s promise to your mouth is the key to victory.

6. The Diet of Giants: Opposition as Spiritual Nutrition

• Timestamp 26:30 — 37:10
  • In Numbers 14, Joshua and Caleb again declare the land is good, urging Israel not to rebel by speaking contrary to God's word.
  • A memorable quote central to the episode:

    “They are bread for us. Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Fear them not.” (Numbers 14:9, 29:18)

  • Nancy draws from Lillian B. Yeomans' statement: “I believe in a diet of giants. Just devour each one that comes your way and become spiritually stalwart.” (32:02)
  • Opposition isn't for your undoing; it's for your nourishment—your “eating place,” not your “undoing place.”

    “Opposition is to be a strengthening place for God’s people. And it is, if we think right. We have to think right about opposition.” (33:07)

7. Practical Application: How to ‘Eat Giants’

• Timestamp 33:15 — 36:50

  • You “eat” giants by speaking faith to your obstacles—no one can speak for you; you have to do your own lifting.

  • Comparison: Just as physical bread cannot be substituted and is vital to a meal, "eating" giants is vital to spiritual health.

    “If you decide you’re not going to eat giants, something’s going to be lacking in your spiritual health. Because there is a certain nourishment that only comes to your faith life and your spiritual life through the eating of giants.” (34:34)

  • Right thinking = renewed mind.

  • The act of 'eating giants' is opening your mouth and declaring God's word over opposition until it is dismantled.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On framing opposition:

  "When you know what God has said, don't reason with it anymore. Just go up at once and just do what he says." (09:33)

• On right vs. wrong thinking:

  "It will never bless your life to choose a different position than God takes. Never set yourself opposite to God. Always be on God's side because he's right." (11:25)

• On the effect of negative words:

  "These ten spies led a whole nation into missing it because they led them in saying and thinking the wrong thing." (24:59)

• On Jesus as the believer’s sustenance:

  “No giant, no opposition is to be our downfall. They are to be our bread. That adds something to us... We’re to learn to be giant eaters.” (33:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Content | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:12 | Expecting opposition; mindset when saying yes to God | | 03:05 | Numbers 13 teaching; God’s promise is above giants | | 09:15 | Joshua & Caleb’s report vs. the ten spies’ report | | 14:54 | The sales job of doubt; word count analogy | | 16:45 | Slave mentality and its impact on faith | | 20:45 | Words create outcome; speak God’s promise | | 26:30 | Numbers 14: Joshua & Caleb urge the people | | 29:18 | “They are bread for us”—central analogy | | 32:02 | Lillian B. Yeomans on ‘a diet of giants’ | | 34:34 | "Eating" giants as spiritual nourishment | | 36:00 | How to “eat giants”—practical faith-action |

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s message calls believers to view obstacles not as threats, but as opportunities for spiritual growth—a "diet of giants" that nourishes and strengthens faith. By aligning thought and speech with God’s word, and immediately acting in obedience, listeners are encouraged to develop resilience and steadfastness in pursuing God’s promises, regardless of the giants they face. This episode sets the stage for deeper exploration in the next part of the series.