Confidence

We have had confidence long before Julie Andrews ran around singing about it with her guitar in one hand and bag in the other.

Confidence can be a big help or a big hindrance! 

Confidence helps people to feel at ease around you. Let's imagine for a moment that a doctor says you need heart surgery. He nervously explains that he is not very confident in the steadiness of his hands and the way he makes surgical cuts, but he would like to perform the surgery anyway.

Hmmm... I'm not sure about you, but I would find a different doctor.

Confidence shows people you are not fearful of meeting them, and that you're comfortable with your personality and abilities. Sometimes the lack of confidence can lead people to wonder if you are really snobbish or unqualified. However, confidence can be like playing with fire. Overconfidence can put us into some sticky situations. For example, leading a friend to believe you can sew a dress when you're really not qualified can lead to embarrassment -- possibly even jeopardize a relationship. In the end, you have spent her time and resources and have no quality garment to give her. Confidence can be the disguise for pride, deception, arrogance, and foolishness. The balance of confidence is greater than what we can handle!

So Julie Andrews was wrong.

I do not have confidence in me.

My confidence is found in the Lord!

"...Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Ephesians 3:11,12

"In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge."

Proverbs 14:26

"Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."

Proverbs 3:25-26

My confidence must always be rooted in Christ and His eternal security. What have I to fear if I am in Him? My confidence should be clothed in honesty, humility, trustworthiness, and used for the uplifting of others. I urge you to reflect on what is in your heart to see where your confidence lies. Find it in the Lord and put your trust in Him!