
Confidence is critical for the win. No one who perceives himself a loser walks away from a sporting event triumphantly toting a trophy. Inner knowing, resolve, and unshaken hope are requirements to execute determination, drive, and endurance. For this reason, Paul admonishes us “Cast not away, therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” Our spiritual victory demands confidence. If, however, we are met with setbacks, how are we to hold fast to the confidence we need? A closer look at scripture reveals insight into the nature of spiritual confidence.
Proverbs 3:26 says, “For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”
Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
Genuine, inner confidence, therefore, is a matter of what our heart is connected to. If we are in awe of God and in reliance upon Him, then our faith is secure, our motive is right, and our confidence remains unshaken. A shift in focus, however, brings about disaster. When Israel moved God aside and began to rely upon human power, they lost their Source, their confidence. They were defeated and taken into captivity, but their answer had been there all along, “For thus saith the LORD God…in returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Pressure came. God didn’t perform according to their will. They caved. Without confidence, they surrendered a victory that could have been theirs.
Paul admonishes us in Hebrews 3:14, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Like the early church, we all start our Christian journey with great faith. It is our induction into the family of God. We are bold, fearless, assured. Our shoulders are back and we meet life head on. Then, the enemy roars or rocky terrain diverts our attention off Jesus and we stumble. Disheartened within ourselves, we lose confidence in the only One who doesn’t fail. 1 John 3:21 says, “Beloved if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God.” See. If we are listening to the emotions and thoughts that keep our attention off of the Perfect Savior, then our eyes follow that voice and behold our own frailty. Our obvious weakness does not build confidence. However, 1 John 2:28 declares, “And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” Abiding. Just staying put in Jesus. Remaining in HIM when distractions arise and trials descend upon us gives our heart a different message to declare, and we have confidence to stand, not only before men, but also before God. Ephesians 3:12 says, “…in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” It’s IN JESUS that WE are confident. HE is our confidence.
He’s the “stuff” we need to strut.
We don’t have to be defeated. We need not give up. In fact, “…this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Now that, my friends, is cause for throwing our shoulders back in cheerful courage and striding confidently through life.
Tip/Tidbit: Examine your heart today. Is it voicing fear and doubt? If so, realign your thoughts on Jesus. See His ability. His perfection. His supply. And trust Him. Then, your foot will not be taken, and you’ll “have a place of refuge.”