Working from the ground up: Discovering self-confidence

Self-confidence is the substance that hard work and determination makes. It is not incumbent by the approval of others, and no matter how long you wait for that approval, you may find yourself reaching the depths of ete ity before it even approaches you. Scripture says this: “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” 1 John 3:21 NIV What is this confidence? Well, if I may use biblical license and dissect this verse, we are told that confidence, or the lack there of, originates within the heart. The heart is a mighty tool for authority and difficult to tame. Scripture describes the deceitfulness of the heart and these flaws can do more harm than benefit. It most always leads to defeatist attitudes and leads one away from the care and direction of the Lord. Having confidence before God suggests that we are able to ask, not demand what we want, according to his will and our need. It also suggests that we can stand before Him, knowing who we are and what we have done engulfed in the presence of His all-encompassing love, regardless. The lack of self-confidence tends to shy away from the truths of scripture and allows the heart to deceive and condemn, allowing the person to wallow in self-pity, and therefore becoming stagnant in their life and in their faith. So how can one build self-confidence? Here is a shortened list with some scriptural verses to help you on your way. • “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalms 139:14 NIV Accept yourself, as you are. You are unique and are one of a kind. Admitting to yourself your flaws and areas of weaknesses can help you to make the personal achievements in you that you desire. • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men.” Col 3:23 NIV -Try your best at everything you do. • “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Pr 16: 3 NIV Persevere and stay committed to see the task through to its entirety. Do not let others or the situation undermine your attempts to reach your goals. If one cannot be committed personally and see things through to the end, then it certainly makes sense that one will be unable to commit to the Lord, or anyone else. • “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more.” Isaiah 30:20 NIV -Overcome adversity. Everyone experiences challenges and faces the depths of despair, So true for even the most devout of Christians. When you over come the challenges you are faced with there will come a time where you will be able to respond to all the adversities in life through obedience and an ear bent towards God’s voice. • “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Jas 2:17 NIV Accomplish something and finish it. This calls for you to stand for God, as this scripture is obvious, it is isn’t good to give God lip service He calls for your service! Your efforts towards yourself speak towards your faith in God as well as you are the example that others will model their own Christianity after. • “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Pr 15:33 NIV -Do not allow events to define who you are. Just because you won a particular race, or failed at a test does not mean that you are an overachiever or a failure. • “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7 -Confront your fears. There are healthy forms of fear that enable us to do what we need to do, but the fear that challenges our faith in God and in ourselves is not from any healthy source. This source is from the enemy to steer you away from the road to success. • “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Pr 18:21 NIV -Looking Good may help you feel good, but it does not make a person ‘good’. This is where listening to the heart can get one in trouble. Flattery can never replace the feeling of ‘making it’. Sometimes strength comes from doing things on your own, with God’s help and without the encouragement and lip service of others. • Commit to prayer. Having a dedicated prayer life not only helps you to build self-confidence within yourself, but also helps you to strengthen your relationship with God. Committing yourself to prayer allows your heart to lean into God’s understanding and not your own and breaks down barriers that have been put in place. Self-confidence is the essential ingredient for your personal and spiritual growth. While there are many methods to choose from, nothing can replace the bible standard for living. Success starts with you from the ground up formed on the firm foundation that is Jesus Christ our Lord.