A Lesson in Confidence from the Great Blue Heron

Do you ever feel inadequate or ill-equipped for the goals and dreams you have? Do you have some characteristic or weakness that gets in the way of your success?

If so, you might be able to relate to the Great Blue Heron. While they have elegant wings, they have lanky legs that make them look like they shouldn’t be able to fly. But they do fly quite gracefully.

Great blue herons remind me that even though I may have weaknesses that could keep me from flying toward my goals or dreams, with God all things are possible.

Many times I work with clients and students who tell me they feel like they aren’t enough, that they’re falling short. They tell me they aren’t productive enough, aren’t focused enough, aren’t feeling up to what they feel God calling them to do.

When they tell me this, I share with them my formula for having great confidence and the ability to do more than you feel equipped to do.

Step 1: Admit You’re Not Enough

Whether you think you’re up to a task or not, admit that you aren’t enough. That’s right! Admit you are not enough on your own. There is incredible power in owning your inadequacies and weaknesses. Our weaknesses remind us that we need something beyond our own strength. Admit that God is lending you breath this very minute. Without Him, you’re nothing. You wouldn’t be here. You wouldn’t have the body, talents, skills, or abilities that you have. Admit that you can’t do things alone. Or if you do feel like you could do a task on your own, admit that it could be so much better with God’s help. Voice your dependence on your Creator!

Step 2: Know that with God All Things Are Possible

Tell God that you know that with Him, all things are possible. If you’re teaching or speaking, God knows what the people need to hear and how they need to hear it said. If you’re creating something, God knows how to best create it. If you’re interacting with customers, God knows better than anyone else what those customers need. If you’re rearing children, growing a garden, or taking a class, God knows how to be excellent wherever you show up in life. He can transform an ordinary person into an extraordinary blessing when one is humble enough to be tutored by Him.

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Step 3: Do Your Best

Listen for God’s suggestions and follow through on whatever comes. If you don’t receive any insights after praying for help, do what you know to do. Take the first, most obvious step and move your feet. God guides us best when we’re moving our feet.

Step 4: Release the Outcome and Expect That Everything Will Work Out for the Best

After you’ve done what you know to do, release the outcome and trust God to do the rest. You’ve given it to Him. Really give it to Him, and release your need for the outcome to be a specific way or arrive in a specific manner. Look for opportunities everywhere. God often uses means and methods we never would have thought of on our own.

So, be like the lanky great blue heron, trust God, take a leap, and fly!