Confidence

Confidence: When I looked up the word confidence, I found many definitions. Here are a few of the ones I like the best.

a: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances b: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way

1. Trust or faith in a person or thing.

2. A feeling of assurance

3. The state or quality of being certain

The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security.

Confident people have deep faith in their future and can accurately assess their capabilities. They also have a general sense of control in their lives and believe that, within reason, they will be able to do what they desire, plan and expect, no matter what the foreseeable obstacle. But this faith is guided by more realistic expectations so that, even when some of their goals are not met, those with confidence continue to be positive, to believe in themselves and to accept their current limitations with renewed energy. taken from "The Definition of Confidence"
By: Elaine Sihera -

I loved this definition. This is what I want my life to look like. I want to not depend on myself, but on the Lord, knowing that I can do all things through Christ. That even when I face obstacles, I can look at them, in confidence, knowing I will walk through it, and be able to remain steadfast.

Confidence is looked at negatively by some. It can come off as cocky, full of one-self, and boastful. There is a fine balance, between these and being confident in who you are as a person and your abilities. You can pick these differences out very quickly, when watching and listening to people. I find that people who brag and boast of their actions are the ones that usually lack confidence and need reassurance in what they are doing.

Why I am writing all of this? Throughout my life, I have struggled with confidence. I am confident in my abilities as a teacher. I have had years of training and experience that has lead to this confidence. I am confident in my ability as a mom, even though having a two year old can make me question it at times. I love my children more than life and feel like we are doing a great job training them. I am confident as a wife, something that has grown with time. I have been walking with the Lord a long time, and am confident in who Christ is. SO, I ask myself, "Why do I have times in my life in which I completely lack confidence in all of these areas?" This has been a struggle for me these past couple weeks. In my mind I can convince myself I am a good wife, mother, friend etc., but then emotions and thoughts creep in and it all falls to pieces.

For me, and hopefully all people walking with the Lord, it comes down to knowing who we are in Christ. Where does your confidence come from..Christ or flesh? A question that I have asked myself many time recently. As I was writing my previous post I came across a few lists, one of which I studied carefully today. In the middle of the page it says "We are..." and then surrounding it are statements and scripture references of who we are in Christ. What a perfect reminder for me today. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to me...Having the mind of Christ Phl 2:5, More than Conquerors Rom. 8:37, Loved by God, John 3:16, Sons and Daughters of God, Gal. 3:26, Being transformed by the renewing of our Minds, Rom 12:2. There are so many more.

Confidence comes from knowing who you are in Christ. When people come against you, and you are looking adversity in the face, we can stand on this confidence. He has created us to be exactly who we are. Not to live to others expectations, thoughts, and actions, but to live by the Spirit, walking in His grace.

My Heart Sister reminded me of this today. She encouraged me to start small, being confident in one area and letting leak over into others. I now have a new outlook. I am walking in the TRUTH of who Christ has created me to be. Although, the above definitions depend on one-self, we can easily convert this to depending on the Father. I want to live in a state of mind, as the third definition states, that is characterized by reliance in HIM. Sometimes this is easier said then done, but I encourage you to do the same. Life is to short to always be worried about what others think, or trying to live to others expectations. Live life being who the Lord has called YOU to be.

Prayer:
Lord, continue to reveal to me who you have created me to be. You have created me as an individual and called me to accomplish many things while on this earth, not for my glory, but for yours. Help me to fulfill the destiny you are calling me to. Help me to walk in your confidence and not in confidence in the flesh.