Webster defines confidence this way: “A feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances; faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper or effective way; a relation of trust or intimacy; confidence stresses faith in oneself and one’s powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.”
The difference between a humanistic view of confidence and a Christian view is the source of the confidence. Just as stated by Webster, humanistic view lay the source of confidence within us, our abilities and skills. A Biblical view lay the source of our confidence within the ability and power of God, not ourselves.
“But blessed is the man …whose confidence is in him.”
Read the following scriptures and hear what they speak to your heart about confidence:
- Proverbs 3:26 “...for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
- Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
- Ephesians 3:12 “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
- 1 John 3:21-22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
These scriptures indicate that our confidence should be in the Lord. Confidence in the Lord brings blessing into our lives, enables us to weather difficult times and seasons in our lives and enables us to approach the Father with freedom!
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”
Listen to the words of Psalm 27
“The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face! “Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Now let’s spend some time considering confidence in your own life. Here are a few self-evaluation questions:
-
In what areas am I confident?
-
What is the basis of my confidence?
-
Am I basically a fearful or confident person?
-
When do I most lack confidence?
-
Is there a relationship in my life between sin and a lack of confidence?
-
Am I a builder of confidence in others?
-
Do I desire to be a confidence builder?
-
Has my home been a place where my confidence has been built or damaged?
-
What kind of fears do I allow to control me?
-
Do I habitually tear myself down?
-
Am I cooperating with God to make me a more confident person?