Confidence

He does not want us to live in fear but instead to live boldly, strong and confident.

I have often struggled with confidence because the truth is on my own I’m really not anything special. I’m not super talented in any one area; I’m not a naturally gifted musician or talented athlete. I’m not a poet or scientist. I haven’t discovered cures for anything.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

I’m just an ordinary woman. And if I were to spend my life relying on my own strength I probably would not accomplish a whole lot. In fact I would give up, succumb to apathy and think that I probably can’t make much of a difference in the world so why even try and would live pretty discouraged.

That I’ve been able to step out in faith and start a blog and (gasp) call myself a “writer”; that I’ve been able to use my gifts and talents in ministry and through coaching is not any kind of testament to my own accomplishments. In fact ever single risk I’ve taken has started out with paralyzing fear. But no, that I’ve been able to be bold for Jesus is not because of anything great in me but because of the confidence I have in my savior and in the work He calls me to.

Those who search for confidence solely in his/her own resources will be sorely disappointed.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9

So where can we get true confidence? Well, we can tap into the Lord’s strength and help. We can trust that He created us for a purpose and that He will enable us to achieve it with His help. He gives us what we need and is always with us. In fact the “weaker” we are the better in some ways because it leaves more room in our lives for Him to pour out grace.

There’s a Greek word used in the bible Parressia which means confidence, boldness, literally “tell it all”, unreserved in speech and unambiguous.

“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you–I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus” Philemon 1:8-9

Why is Paul able to be so bold? Because he knows who he is in Christ and has found his identity in Him.

What if we lived boldly; confident not in our own capabilities but in what God could do through a life that is willing to live surrendered?

What could we accomplish. . . .?