God’s Foundation for Confidence

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 (New Revised Standard Version)

Confidence is such an important part of God’s desire for us, for our wholeness in life. It is really a form of positive energy that moves us forward. That great preacher of another generation, Norman Vincent Peale, identified a positive attitude as ‘power’ for meeting all of life’s challenges. Positive thinking or confidence is our equipment that increases the odds that things will turn out the way we hope they will. It is a matter of the mind—a matter of changing our reality by changing our focus.

The root of the word confidence is confide. Confide is derived from the Latin language by placing two words together, (con) which means, “with” and, (fide) which means “trust” or “faith.” Confidence has to do with trusting within a relationship with another. The apostle Paul is teaching here in Philippians that we are asked to place our trust in Jesus. As we do, the very strength of Jesus flows into us and strengthens us. Our confidence grows. God’s foundation for confidence is regularly spending time with Jesus so that we begin to know Jesus as intimately as a good friend or spouse. As that friendship with Jesus grows, the knowledge of how God intends to use us also grows. The knowledge of our life’s purpose then releases confidence that we are capable of anything when we trust Jesus’ strength coming alongside us.

A pastor and friend of mine is often identified as the Energizer Bunny. As someone once noted to me, Tom doesn’t walk into a room—he bursts into a room! His confidence comes from a close walk with his Lord. He knows God’s claim upon him and is aware of the gifts he has for ministry. This knowledge gives him poise and bearing. He can enter a room full of strangers and experience ease for the simple reason that he knows who he is—a man of God who trusts that God is with him in the moment. Consequently, strangers see his confidence and think, “Here is someone I am comfortable approaching because he is so comfortable with himself.” “Here is someone I want to approach because of his positive energy.” Tom’s presence in a room elevates the energy in the room for everyone. Tom is confident because of his close trust and walk with Jesus that is nurtured each day.

To build that kind of energy, that level of confidence, you must first own that you are uniquely made and like no one else. For years I wanted to be like my friend, Tom. The difficulty with that kind of thinking is that I never owned that I am uniquely made for a reason. The world is richer because Tom walks into rooms. But the world is also richer because of who I am—a quieter man who also walks into rooms and immediately identifies those standing in the margins. They are the ones I engage first. I introduce myself and ask them to share with me who they are. I listen to them and value them and watch their own sense of self-value begin to rise as a result. To witness this then strengthens my own confidence. Second, I stop telling myself that I don’t have the gifts of Tom, but that I do have gifts, and talents, and ability forged from years of ministry that add value to others. I stop selling myself short. Uniquely made and endowed with gifts that add value to my small part of the world—that is my bankroll. In relationship with Jesus, these are the things that bring confidence. These are the things that strengthen me.

Joy,