I used to think that confidence came from a new pair of boots or a great hair day. Or maybe it came from an excellent test score or a compliment received at work. Or maybe it came from how much your best friend liked the present you gave her, how often you mother says she loves you, or how many times your boyfriend calls you beautiful.
Or maybe not.
No, definitely not.
I found that confidence comes instead from trusting in the Lord, from knowing and believing that everything is in God’s hands. Think of it this way – the most perfect surgeon in all the land is going to take out your appendix – a surgical procedure he could perform with his eyes closed because he knows everything there is to know about medicine, even the future of medicine. With such a surgeon, you are sure to be pretty confident before the surgery. Then, in a biblical everyday life kind of sense, if we know that the most perfect God has given us a promise that we are worthy and that in the end we will experience a time of no more suffering and endless joy, then you have to be pretty confident in life.
However, we, as imperfect humans, do not see nor know the future. Yet it is in not knowing the future that makes this whole scenario worthwhile. Back to the surgery analogy. Even if Dr. Awesome was the “perfect” surgeon, the patient would still have to have faith in his ability. It is this faith that would, in turn, ease the patient’s mind and lead them through the surgery. Concurrently, we must have faith in God’s promise and, in turn, it is the faith that will become a Christian’s confidence. For if we believe that God looks out for us, never forsakes us, forgives us, believes in us, and will save us in the end, then we will have faith which equates to confidence – not in the self, but in the power of God through the self. Because if a Christian strives to follow the will of God and his commands, then he can take his steps confidently, knowing that God is blessing each one, even the rocky ones.
Look at these promises in the Bible:
"Be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the LORD."
- Psalm 31:24 KJV
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might
He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV
God gives us power and strength. Jesus promised that God answers our prayers if we ask with faith. God will never leave us and will promote us to victory. If you agree with these statements – how then can you not gain confidence in life, in yourself, and in your God?
But there is another struggle I have had with this topic. It relates more to being bold. I am not a very “bold” person, or at least I am not yet. I used to wait for others to act so that I could follow. I would tone down my outfit so I wouldn’t stick out. I wouldn’t speak to any strangers for fear of rejection. I used to think boldness and confidence could lead to the pride that ultimately came before the fall. But I believe there can be boldness in faith, confidence in our abilities and missions that come from God. Psalms 31 says to be of good courage – to take a bold step in the Lord when he calls you to act, speak, or love. It is in waiting on God that we gain our strength, so that when he tells us to act boldly, we can.
I have recently read an article about praying boldly. I used to pray very timidly, as if I was speaking to a father that might strike out in rage if I ask in the wrong way or for the wrong thing. However, Candice Watters explains in her article that we should no longer be weighed down by doubts and ask with confidence for God to help with the desires he puts in our hearts. This doesn’t mean you should ask for a brand new car because God promised to give you anything you asked for, but to ask for assistance for the things in your life that you know are good and God-centered. Look at the story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 for an example of a man who prayed boldly and received what he asked for. Watters also explains praying boldly more vividly in her article as well.
May the Force (of God) be with you!
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