When you think of the word “small,” for some reason it often has negative connotations. When you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll see some of its synonyms are listed as limited, meager, inconsequential, and pitiful.

Not exactly how I want to be defined. However, I am a relatively short person so small is how most people would describe me physically. But hopefully when it comes to the rest of life, I’m not seen as small.

‘Mighty warrior’

Gideon was also a small person, not necessarily in stature but in life. In Judges 6, Gideon describes himself as the “least in my family” (v. 15). This was his answer to God when He called Gideon to lead a small army against a much larger one of 120,000 men.

Interestingly, at the time of this conversation, Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, presumably to hide from his enemies. But even as he was hiding, God called him “mighty warrior” (v. 12). Because Gideon ultimately trusted in who God said he was, he went on to defeat this formidable army with only 300 men. It is seemingly impossible because we think people who are “small” cannot do great things, but according to Judges 7, they can.

Never think you cannot achieve great things because of who you are or what you have done. Thankfully, God sees our potential. He’s not bothered by our description of ourselves or anyone else’s description of us. He knew who Gideon could be, not apart from God but in relationship with Him.

Believe in your Creator

As you reflect on your own life, remember there are many examples of seemingly small people doing great things for God. Don’t let anyone’s definition of you limit what God has called you to do. It’s not necessarily about belief in yourself, it’s about belief in the One who created you.