Book summary “Running with the Giants”: summary

Introduction

You want to achieve true greatness and fulfill your potential, but modern leadership advice often falls short of building lasting character. You face daily challenges that test your integrity, resilience, and faith. John C. Maxwell argues in Running with the Giants that you can overcome these obstacles by learning timeless leadership principles from historical figures of faith.

The book examines ten biblical leaders who faced trials similar to yours. You will discover how their choices shaped history and how their lessons apply to your personal and professional life.

• How can one person make a lasting difference?
• Why must you trust God when circumstances seem absurd?
• How do you survive adversity without giving up on your dreams?
• What does it take to leave your comfort zone and find your purpose?

1. Noah One Person Can Make a Difference

You can make a lasting difference for your family, community, future generations, and God at any age. John C. Maxwell calls these figures a cloud of witnesses and difference-makers.

One person can make a lasting difference for their family, community, future generations, and God at any age.

Noah was six hundred years old when he entered the ark and his righteousness saved humanity and his entire family from extinction. Noah lived to be 950 years old.

You can apply these principles to your daily life:

• Don't be afraid to stand out in a crowd
• Don't be afraid to do something for the first time
• Remember God's promises when you see a rainbow

2. Abraham God Always Does the Right Thing

You must trust God's character because He always does the right thing, even when fulfillment takes a long time or seems absurd.

Believers must trust God's character because He always does the right thing, even when fulfillment takes a long time or seems absurd.

Abraham waited ten years before questioning the promise. John C. Maxwell explains that God uses testing to develop total trust and reminds readers that God's sense of time differs from human expectations.

Abraham and Sarah waited until Sarah was eighty-nine years old before she gave birth to Isaac.

This process unlocks your God-potential. You learn to rely on divine timing instead of your own understanding.

3. Joseph Don't Give Up on Your Dreams

Negative surprises and hardships are part of the journey to a dream's realization. John C. Maxwell explains that divine promotion always supersedes self-promotion.

Dreams conceived from God require enduring a lengthy process of adversity, doubt, and surprises without giving up.

Twenty-three years passed from when Joseph had his dream until it was fulfilled. Two years elapsed while Joseph remained in prison after being forgotten by the chief butler.

Joseph endured being sold into slavery by his brothers, false accusations by Potiphar's wife, and imprisonment before becoming second in command of Egypt. You encounter similar trials before your vision comes to pass.

These difficulties function as give-ups as go-ons. You can navigate them by applying specific practices:

• develop yourself during down times instead of complaining;
• rely on God's presence during trials and temptations;
• give God credit instead of relying on self-promotion.

4. Moses Live in the Faith Zone

Personal growth and fulfilling a divine calling require leaving comfortable safe zones to operate in the faith zone.

John C. Maxwell outlines how Moses had to overcome the experiences of his past in Egypt, the comforts of his present in Midian, and the insecurity of his future before he could lead the Israelites out of bondage. You must leave familiarity behind if you want to accomplish significant goals.

Moses experienced a major life breakthrough at the burning bush after spending 40 years as a shepherd in the wilderness.

You can reach the land of more than enough by making intentional choices:

• leave the safe zone of familiarity and comfort;
• lean entirely on God when facing an uncertain and insecure future;
• defeat tomorrow's regret by taking necessary risks today.

5. Rebekah Give Generously to Others

Extraordinary generosity involves going the extra mile beyond minimum expectations, which unlocks unexpected blessings.

John C. Maxwell uses Rebekah's encounter with Abraham's servant at the well to illustrate the Rebekah Principle. This principle contrasts legalistic minimum effort with a lifestyle of abundant and unselfish service.

Rebekah volunteered not only to give Abraham's servant a drink but also to draw two hundred gallons of water for his ten thirsty camels. Fulfilling this task required forty trips using a five-gallon jar and took two hours of strenuous labor.

You can apply this second mile mindset through daily practices:

• start by giving where you are right now instead of waiting for the future;
• perform tasks without keeping score or asking what is in it for you;
• look for opportunities in everyday events to give more than is required.

6. Joshua and Esther Finding Place and Purpose

God places individuals in specific positions of influence for a purpose, requiring courage and initiative to meet the needs of the hour.

John C. Maxwell highlights Esther's journey from feeling out of place as an exile and orphan to realizing she was positioned in the royal palace specifically to save her people from execution. You face similar moments where your unique position aligns with a major challenge for such a time as this.

Esther risked her life by approaching King Ahasuerus unsummoned, declaring if I perish, I perish after Mordecai challenged her purpose. This step required moving past the fear of 30 days during which Esther had not been called to go before the king.

You can operate with this same resolve through intentional practices:

• gather others to fast and pray before taking major action;
• look beyond adversity and insecurity to see God's greater purpose;
• take action to fulfill your calling despite danger.

7. Jonathan Strengthen a Leader and Save a Nation

True greatness in support involves seeing the big picture, realistically evaluating potential, and choosing to lift up a leader rather than compete with them.

John C. Maxwell explains through Jonathan's relationship with David that big-picture thinking allows a supporter to judge themselves realistically, see others properly, and obey God by serving someone with greater leadership potential. You can become a kingmaker by choosing to support a chosen leader instead of protecting your own status.

Jonathan stripped off his royal robe, armor, bow, and belt and gave them to David after David defeated Goliath.

You can apply these principles to your own supportive relationships:

• see yourself from the right perspective;
• see others from the right perspective;
• do what's right from God's perspective.

8. David You Can Overcome Limitations

You can successfully overcome the negative limitations, low expectations, and skepticism placed upon them by family members and leaders.

David faced rejection and doubt from the people around him. Jesse overlooked him, Eliab insulted him, Saul doubted him, and Goliath despised him.

David defeated the giant Goliath after rejecting King Saul's ill-fitting armor and ignoring his brothers' accusations of pride. The Philistine warrior Goliath stood 9 feet 9 inches tall.

9. The Servant Girl One Small Act Matters

One small act performed by someone of low status can make a massive difference in the lives of powerful people.

You might feel insignificant due to your position. An unnamed young captive girl serving Naaman's household spoke up courageously about the prophet Elisha.

An unnamed Israelite slave girl advised her mistress that the prophet Elisha in Samaria could heal General Naaman. This suggestion ultimately led to the healing of the commander's leprosy and changed his faith.

General Naaman dipped 7 times in the Jordan River to be healed.

10. Nehemiah No Problem Is Too Big When You Have Help

No problem is too big when a person is willing to ask for help, collaborate with others, and partner with God.

You might face massive obstacles that seem impossible to overcome alone. Nehemiah faced massive opposition and a devastated city more than a thousand miles away, but he prayed first, defined reality, sought royal support, and rallied the people to work together using both swords and trowels.

Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem rebuilt the broken city walls in 52 days.

You should follow specific guidelines when tackling overwhelming tasks:

• ask others for help when the problem is bigger than you;
• ask others for help when the problem becomes personal;
• ask others for help when you have shared the problem with God;
• ask others for help when you are willing to do your part;
• ask others for help when you sense God's approval for the vision;
• ask others for help when people oppose us.

1,000 miles was the distance Nehemiah was from Jerusalem when he learned of the ruin. 52 days was the duration it took to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Conclusion

These ten biblical leadership principles connect to form a complete roadmap for personal growth and spiritual influence.

You build lasting effectiveness by combining personal integrity, unwavering trust, active courage, and deep humility.

1. Stand alone for what is right when your culture collapses around you.
2. Trust divine timing and character when your circumstances test your patience.
3. Protect your God-given dreams through seasons of adversity and surprise.
4. Step beyond your comfortable safe zones to operate in the faith zone.
5. Practice extraordinary generosity by going the extra mile for others.
6. Seize your unique position of influence with courage and initiative.
7. Support and strengthen other leaders instead of competing with them.
8. Overcome the limitations and skepticism placed upon you by others.
9. Value every small act of service regardless of your social status.
10. Solve massive problems by collaborating with others and partnering with God.

You can achieve your divine potential by applying these timeless lessons from history to your daily leadership challenges.

10 Key Ideas

1. One person can make a lasting difference for their family, community, future generations, and God at any age.
2. Believers must trust God's character because He always does the right thing, even when fulfillment takes a long time or seems absurd.
3. Dreams conceived from God require enduring a lengthy process of adversity, doubt, and surprises without giving up.
4. Personal growth and fulfilling a divine calling require leaving comfortable safe zones to operate in the faith zone.
5. Extraordinary generosity involves going the extra mile beyond minimum expectations, which unlocks unexpected blessings.
6. God places individuals in specific positions of influence for a purpose, requiring courage and initiative to meet the needs of the hour.
7. True greatness in support involves seeing the big picture, realistically evaluating potential, and choosing to lift up a leader rather than compete with them.
8. You can successfully overcome the negative limitations, low expectations, and skepticism placed upon them by family members and leaders.
9. One small act performed by someone of low status can make a massive difference in the lives of powerful people.
10. No problem is too big when a person is willing to ask for help, collaborate with others, and partner with God.