LESSON 2–Trust in Yourself
It is only through labor and prayerful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.–Theodore Roosevelt
In our last lesson, I asked you to trust in God —above anything (or anyone) Trust in God. In trusting him, understand that he has given you all the talents and gifts you need to succeed in your Purpose. Never doubt your abilities. You may not always succeed but realize that it is in failure that you learn and grow. It is in failure that you grow stronger. Each failure is a lesson learned and a step closer toward success. Know that you have the capability to learn from your mistakes and ultimately succeed. It has wisely been said that failure only comes with not trying. Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in You Learn by Living that “failure comes to everyone, except when one does nothing at all, which is in itself failure” (p.154).
My friend, Dale Schurter, pastored my church in New York when I lived there. He learned from his father, an Oklahoma farmer, and I pass it on to you, that “’Can’t’ never done nuthin’.” In other words, nothing will be accomplished when you begin with the notion that you are not capable. You can do anything to which you set your mind. Will you always do it well? Probably not. No person is so gifted that they can do everything well. I would not want a gifted mechanic repairing a faulty valve in my heart; nor would I want a gifted heart surgeon repairing a faulty valve in my car. Ephesians 9:10 reads: “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….” If you have an interest in something; if you try, you will succeed. Keep in mind, though, that you might not necessarily do it with the greatest of ease or perfection. The greatest satisfaction in life, however, comes in overcoming obstacles and doing something that has challenged you. Denis Waitley wrote that “the greatest limitations you will ever face will be those you place on yourself” (Being the Best, p. 73). Try, and you will succeed.
As a young person, you have not even begun to realize your potential. You are searching for those things that you enjoy and can do well. In the process, try many things. One of the many gifts my parents gave me was to expose me to a variety of activities as a child. I learned to try the foods of different cultures, to appreciate the arts, to be physically active, and to enjoy the outdoors. Thanks to my parents, I am as comfortable in a suit and tie as I am in shorts and a t-shirt. I am as at home in the city as I am in the country. I can enjoy the assortment of tastes and appreciate the diversity among God ‘s people. I can tap into both sides of my brain, and I can enjoy the theater or art museum as much as a good football game.
I remember fondly Saturdays in the fall as a child. Mornings were spent at Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh at art classes. Dad would pick me up, and I would change into my football uniform in the car in the Liberty Tunnel on my way to my Little League game. I became neither a world-renowned artist nor an NFL football star (nor was I necessarily a high school standout), but I learned about myself and grew as a person.
As an educator, I appreciate the value of a liberal education in an age when we are becoming increasingly specialized. I’ve been told that we (PhDs) learn more and more about less and less until we know all there is about absolutely nothing. This should not be the case. Yes, develop your greatest gifts, but also find interests on the side that will make you a well-rounded person. And, when you find those things that interest you, do them with all your heart. Be passionate about everything you do. If you take this approach, you will succeed.
You will battle with self-doubt. We all do. You will hear from people that you lack the capacity to succeed. You will be told that you are inadequate and that you are not suited for the task at hand. Don’t listen to these people!! Turn your back to them and seek out those who will be supportive. When you can’t find supportive people, don’t worry. Remember that God is in your corner, and you can Trust in yourself. You can, and you will.
Your greatest enemy is self-doubt. Remember the Armstrong motto: Invictus Maneo—”I remain unvanquished.” Only you can determine your success or failure.
I may be beginning to sound like I am telling you that will always be capable of doing anything at any time. I am not at all implying that you can do everything, at this moment. You can do anything that you determine to devote yourself to doing. If you told me that you wanted to climb Mount Everest, I would support you. Would I encourage you to book the next flight to Tibet? Absolutely not! Most anything you do will require significant preparation and time. In the process of accomplishing your goal, you will undoubtedly face setbacks and disappointments. But with continued effort—and proper preparation—you will succeed. To run a marathon begins with one step. As you train and prepare, you grow and adapt. You become more and more suited to your goal.
Remember that you will not be the best at everything—perhaps not anything. You can be the best you can be, though. Know your limits and strengths and capitalize on these. I used the example of running a marathon. Be realistic in your goals. If you want to win the Boston Marathon, you might be setting yourself up for failure. You may lack the physical potential to “win”. If you are built like an NFL lineman, there is no chance of winning, so consider what you are pursuing. If you choose to simply finish the race, then, no doubt, you can. Likewise, a 135-pound runner should not consider trying out for the offensive line. However, heart can often overcome physical limitations. It the 1970s, Rudy Ruettiger set his sights on becoming a member of the Notre Dame Football team. His small size would not hold him back. Note that Rudy did not aspire to be a starter on the team. He sought to be a member of that team, and he worked his tail off to be a contributing member of the team. More importantly, Rudy inspired his teammates to play to their potential.
While I am inspired by the accomplishment of the underdog overcoming great obstacles to achieve greatness, I am completely turned off by prima-donna athletes who display little work ethic. If you are gifted with incredible talent, you owe it to your Creator—and others—to develop those talents. We see countless examples of tremendously talented athletes, actors, writers, musicians, and others in the public eye, who, when not performing, find themselves in trouble with drugs, violence, and other vices. You are obliged to become the best you can be. If success in one area comes easily—if success requires little effort and practice, then perhaps your excess energies can be diverted to other area. Use these energies to contribute to the success of others. Teach your skills to others. Volunteer your time to others in need. Be an asset you your community. Share your gift and the fruit of that gift with others. We will visit this in greater detail in Lesson 7: Love Your Neighbor.
Carpe momento!!
© W. Jeffrey Armstrong, 2022