Hummingbirds Require Nectar
Hummingbirds live on nectar from flowers and the sugars that are found in specialty feeders. I have two plants out back that have attracted Ruby Throated Hummingbirds for the past five years. One is an Autumn Sage. The other is a Black and Blue plant – which is what the hummingbird in this video is feeding on. The last few days, these tiny birds have been visiting these flowers frequently as they stock up on the needed fuel they will need for their migration South.
These little birds are amazing. Their average weight is 1/8 ounce. Their wings beat between 40 and 80 beats/second. They breathe approximately 250 times per minute . Their heart rate is an unbelievable 250 beats/min at rest and 1200 beats/min while feeding. Finally, in flight they reach up to 63 miles/hour. Most researchers seem to accept the fact that those who migrate to the Caribbean Islands and Mexico cross the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean waters during a non-stop flight taking 18-20 hours. No wonder they require a lot of food for energy and strength!
People Need God
I imagine most of you know the story of David and Goliath. When David came face to face with the giant, he relied on God’s presence for strength. Read 1 Samuel 17:1-51. David was clearly aware that God was with him. and that the battle was not his, but God’s.(verse 45)
During David’s battle, he focused on God’s presence, not his circumstance or problem. David’s knowledge of God’s presence prevented him from becoming discouraged or giving up.
If you focus on life’s challenges and your opposition in the battles you face, you are likely to lose hope and give up. When you stay in God’s presence and keep the focus on him, he will give you optimism and the strength you need.
Remember, with God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
Questions for Reflection
When you need extra strength to make it through a tough or challenging time or when you are facing “giants” in your life, where do you turn? What is your source of strength?
Resources on Strength
Bible Verses and Scripture on Strength & Wellness
3 Minute Presentation on How Faith in God Can Help During Stress
Sheryl says
September 29, 2012 at 4:29 PMThe past 4 yrs. of my life have been filled with huge challanges, I have lost my husband,mother,stepfather each one yr after the other. In a effort to get my life back on track I purchased a restaurant. I hired am contractor to do some work, just months after the passin of my husband of 31 yrs. so to say I was vunerable, lonely, broken hearted is an understatement. Anyway I just hpeened to fall in love with the contractor, he seemed to understand what I had been through and seemed so supportative, kind and loving. Well, as it turned out he was none of those things and what I thought was starting a new chapter in my life was anything but. In an effert to get to the point here, I will just say I lost everything for allowing this man into my life. With nowhere else to turn I turned to God. Although I have always believed in the existance of God I never read the bible or attended church or anything else that a good christian would do to be closer to their saviour. I have been attending bible study for two yrs. now and have a better understanding of the sacrifices that were made for us. Now a year into trying desperately to get my life back, something brought me to this page. Over the last month there have been two hummingbirds hanging out in my garage. I don’t know why they are there or whay they spend full days just flying around in there. I leave the garage door open thinking they just didn’t know how to get out once in, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, because they stay. If they do leave for a bit they always return. They don’t seem to be afraid of me, and feeling that they are spending so much time in there instead of out finding nurishment I have put a small bowl of sugar water & juice in there for them. Having a pity party for myself today, I decided to see if there was any significant meaning to what is happening, I started my search to try and find out if God was trying to tell me something. Now I’m not certain of the exact meaning I came up with, but I can’t stop the tears. I hope that what God is telling me is this is the reserection of my life and that things will turn around for me if I keep my faith and turn to him for strength. So thank you for this site and all the others I have read, I really needed to be reassured that God is always with me and watching out for me, and that I need to continue in my journey to learn as much as I can about him and what he wants from all of us. HE will protect us and lead us to the right places and people in this life until we come to him. Thank You So Much.
Dale Fletcher says
October 1, 2012 at 12:59 PMSheryl,
I’m sorry that you’ve had so much tragedy and loss in your life recently. Sometimes God allows us to be on the bottom before we decide to look up. Praise God that you looked up to him for strength and hope. Just as the hummingbird friends in your garage receive strength from the nectar you feed them…. you’re receiving strength and hope from God.
He is our source of true strength. I encourage you to stay on the path that God has you on…. stay closely connected to him….. grow more deeply in your relationship with him. From that deeper relationship with him, you’ll be able to have richer relationships with others… and he will be glorified.
And, you’re right, some day we’ll be right with him in heaven…. which will be the very best!
Dale
Gwen Watson says
June 22, 2017 at 10:00 AMMr. Fletcher. Thank you for this article. I Googled the prophetic meaning of hummingbird because of 2 recent events. First, in the past 4 years I’ve faced huge giant, mountains, bears and my Father has done miracle after miracle. I was sleeping one morning and was awakened to a loud buzzing sound. I thought it was a hornet as I live in the woods and this is common. I dozed back off and not only heard the buzz but felt a slight breeze on my face. I opened my eyes to be greeted by a beautiful green hummingbird. I was in awe as I’ve only seen them a few times in my life. I slowly got up not to startle it but it flew into the pane glass window. It kept trying to get out through the window. I ran to get a plastic container to catch it. That didn’t work. I then remembered hearing a story of a man just whispering Jesus to calm animals. So I did just that. As I whispered Jesus it sat down on the window ledge. I slowly reached my hand down and it jumped into my hand! I walked carefully out the sliding doors and extended my hand. It stayed in my hand. I thought I hurt it. I said, “It’s okay he free in Jesus name.” It turned its head to look at me almost to say “Thank you,” and flew off. I wept from the beauty of it. I heard the voice of God say,”You are that hummingbird.” I cried and worshipped Him. Then yesterday I went for a shalom walk before work to center myself in Jesus before entering a chaotic environment. As I walked, a hummingbird, kind of blue in color, followed me. Then it came right to my face to say hi. I told it that it was God’s beautiful creation. Then I started whispering “Jesus” to it. It kept following me and went on the walk with me. Just before getting in the car I stopped and watched it. As long as I said “Jesus” it came close. I was reminded that Holy Spirit fills all believers but only rests on some. The difference between those whom He also rests upon and those He can’t rest upon is shalom…or peace. A dove is used symbolically to represent Him as it is delicate and will fly off if it senses danger. (Keep in mind He is in all of us and will never leave nor forsake us) We need to walk as if a dove is resting upon our shoulders. True shalom is defined as wholeness in every area of life that produces a peace that surpasses understanding. One can only obtain this state of peace by stopping and resting In Him, meditating on His word and on the attributes of His majesty. Shalom used to be very far from me but He enabled me to obtain it through Himself not by my self effort. His goodness transcends my ability to articulate words to describe His goodness!
Eedee says
May 2, 2018 at 1:11 AMHi Gwen! Thank you for your powerful testimony! I remember hearing this one Pastor Bill Johnson talk about walking in such a way that we are always with that awareness! This was a GREAT reminder! Thank you!
Gwen Watson says
June 22, 2017 at 10:04 AMMr Fletcher. Would you be so kind as to correct my typos and Grammer in the previous comment? I’m using my phone and can’t see what I’m typing. Thanks so much. In Him, Gwen
Yonder Lopez says
December 1, 2018 at 9:27 PMDear Sheryl, do not lose hope, if you still have not found the love of your life, take heart and know in your spirit that the hummingbirds who came into your house, represent the most pure and sweet kind of love there is. The love of God that will flow through you and someone very special he has chosen for you. I am a native of Costa Rica, and in Central America they are a sign of love and will bring love to the person who spots them. Those hummingbirds you saw were most likely a couple that represent the true love that will soon come into your life, just as those beautiful messengers of God came into your home. Just get closer to God just like Mr, Fletcher says and don’t give up hope 🙂
God Bless!
With love in Christ,
Yonder Lopez