I’ve been thinking a lot about confidence lately.
Mostly because going on the World Race has taken a lot of confidence. It’s a commitment- I’ve boarded the plane, it’s taken off and there’s no going back. There are a lot of unknowns that lie ahead and it’s exciting and sort of nerve wracking at the same.
I am someone who loves to know how something ends- movies, books, games, you name it. For whatever reason, it’s hard to walk away from something uncompleted. Trials are really hard because I just want to know HOW it will turn out or I look back at situations and wonder why. But honestly, it’s really not that helpful. I’m learning to live by the truth that God is going to use situations for my good and for His purposes which surpass my knowledge and understanding. It basically boils down to whether I trust God or myself.
He desires for us to boldly live in confidence of Him. No matter the circumstance.
We can live in confidence that…
His he has a plan and a purpose for everyone.
He won’t ever leave or forsake us.
He works beyond what we ask and imagine.
He gives us strength when we’re weak.
He is good.
He is compassionate and fair.
He knows our deepest longings and wants what’s best for us.
He sees the brokenness of the world and is in control.
When I put my confidence in who He is it takes away the pressure and power of circumstances because my focus is no longer on myself. In this World Race journey, I’m learning to put all my trust and confidence in Him, and to live with expectancy and not necessarily with expectations.
I also think our identity and worth are rooted in where we put our confidence.
It matters where our worth comes from because we’re going to fill our hearts and minds with something. One time a friend explained it me as if we each have a God shaped hole inside of us that can only be filled by Him. We won’t ever feel enough until we realized that our heart won’t be full without Jesus. Turning to others for validation of who we are will eventually leave us disappointed. Now encouraging one another is different. I’m talking about self-worth. How much value do I have? To God, it costed Him the life of Jesus. And now we have a way to intimately know our Creator.
God wants us to be confident in ourselves, but he wants it to stem from Him. We each have unique gifts and strengths, and we thrive when our lives align to the intention God has for us to use our gifts. The more aware I become of my strengths, I find greater purpose in my life. As I embark on the race God reminds me of the passions and dreams He’s planted in my heart to reach the poor, hurt and broken people. I see my strengths in connecting with people, listening to their stories with empathy, using foreign language and immersing in culture. I can walk with confidence into the race knowing this is what I’m supposed to do.
Looking ahead, I know among the cool things we’ll get to do as a team out in the world, the anticipated setbacks will require endurance and reliance on God for the confidence to step out into what He’s called us to do each day.
In Hebrews it says, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
The reward is Jesus. God desires everyone to know Him. The promise is eternal life with Him and nothing separating us from His love. The verse isn’t directly referring to our own self-confidence but the confidence we have in God and how it supplies our endurance in hard circumstances. In my own experience, the more confidence I place in who God says I am and where He’s leading me, the confidence I have in Him becomes my own.
