Confidence: The Foundation of Faith and Personal Growth

Confidence serves as the essential foundation for both spiritual faith and personal development, rooted not in self-sufficiency but in divine connection and trust in God's unwavering promises.

Confidence in God: The Source of True Assurance

Confidence in God's existence and His active involvement in our daily lives, coupled with an understanding of His nature, forms the foundation of genuine faith — the kind that God rewards for its diligence (Heb 11:6). This confidence is an absolute certainty that God will fulfill His promises, knowing that He is not a man who would lie or change His mind (Num 23:19). We can trust that what He has promised will come to pass.

The Lord will fulfil His purpose for me – Psalm 138:8

Our confidence rests on God's unwavering promises: heaven awaits us (Jn 14:1-3), all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28), the good work He has begun in us will be completed (Phil 1:6), and confessed sin is forgiven (1 Jn 1:9). As the Psalmist wisely advised, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Ps 118:8). The wicked trust in themselves and ultimately fail; the righteous trust in God and live (Hab 2:4).

Healthy Self-Confidence: Strength Through Divine Connection

While recognizing our inherent worth as God's creation, we must distinguish between healthy self-confidence and harmful self-sufficiency. The Bible warns against placing confidence in human effort, stating, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man" (Jer 17:5). The apostle Paul, despite his impressive heritage and accomplishments, counted everything as loss compared to knowing Christ, declaring he put "no confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3-14).

I will cooperate with God

True confidence comes not from our own abilities but from our connection to Christ. Jesus Himself said, "I can do nothing on my own" (Jn 5:30), yet through His relationship with the Father, He accomplished all things. Our motto should be: "Work as if everything depends on you, yet pray as if it all depends on God." This is cooperation — our availability meeting God's ability. As Jesus taught, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). The secret to confidence is acknowledging our limitations while drawing on Christ's strength. When our hearts are clear before God, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing we do what pleases Him (1 Jn 3:21-22).

Overcoming Diffidence: Embracing God's Calling

Lack of confidence, or diffidence, undermines our self-worth and often manifests as criticism of others while making excuses for ourselves. We must believe in our God-given value and abilities, asking Him to supply what we lack while actively working to strengthen areas of deficiency. When encountering failure, it is important to acknowledge the setback and apply the insights gained to future efforts.

I make myself available to you, Lord

When facing new challenges, those lacking confidence often shrink back, citing insufficient ability, training, or experience — much like Moses (Ex 6:30) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:6-8) did when called by God. Yet we should count it a privilege that God desires to work through us. Like Mary, we should respond with humility, "I am the Lord's servant; let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38).

Satan seeks to convince us we're unqualified, but we must not let him steal our potential or prevent us from fulfilling God's calling. Remember, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 Jn 4:4). God desires available channels through which He can work, promising to supply the necessary ability. Never discard your confidence in Christ; instead, remain steadfast and prepared for His coming (Heb 10:35; 1 Jn 2:28).

Reflection and Application:

Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled with confidence. How might trusting God's promises have changed your perspective?
Identify one area where you tend to rely on your own strength. How can you shift that dependence to Christ this week?
Consider a calling or opportunity you've hesitated to embrace. What excuses have you made, and how can you respond with availability like Mary?
Ask God to reveal any hidden pride or insecurity. Invite Him to build true confidence rooted in your identity in Christ.