Confidence

Great Attitude Series: “Confidence”

“God has not only created each of us as distinct individuals, He also uses us in significant ways.” (Swindoll)

There is a common dichotomy (tension) in life. Those who don’t have vision or determination, and refuse to dream the impossible are always in the majority. Therefore, they will always take the vote. They will always outshout and outnumber those who walk by faith and not by sight, those seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Those who choose to live by sight will always outnumber those who live by faith. To walk by faith requires courage. It requires the audacity to stand-alone and challenge the majority to trust God.

It has been said that Walt Disney would not attempt anything new unless there was a unanimous disagreement. Otherwise Disney did not feel it was worth his time to create and dream what everyone else could easily grasp.

Selected Scriptures

Psalm 90:2, “…from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” From my yesterday to my tomorrow – GOD! Listen to Charles Suprgeon on this verse: Before the mountains were brought forth. Before those elder giants had struggled forth from nature’s womb, as her dread firstborn, the Lord was glorious and self-sufficient. Mountains to him, though hoar with the snows of ages, are but newborn babes, young things whose birth was but yesterday, mere novelties of an hour. Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world. Here too the allusion is to a birth. Earth was born but the other day, and her solid land was delivered from the flood but a short while ago. Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God, or, “thou art, O God.” God was, when nothing else was. He was God when the earth was not a world but a chaos, when mountains were not upheaved, and the generation of the heavens and the earth had not commenced. In this Eternal One there is a safe abode for the successive generations of men. If God himself were of yesterday, he would not be a suitable refuge for mortal men; if he could change and cease to be God he would be but an uncertain dwelling place for his people. The eternal existence of God is here mentioned to set forth, by contrast, the brevity of human life.

Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” How do we live with worry, stress and fear? Let’s get practical: “God you are at work, you are in control. Lord God you know what is happening. You are there at the beginning, and you will bring everything that occurs to a conclusion that results in your glory.” Remind yourself of this often throughout the day and then RELAX! From this point forward it really does not matter what happens does it? It is in God’s hands.

The Life Application Study Bible notes on v.6 says this; “The God who began a good work within us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work within us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Paul is describing the process of Christian growth and maturity that began when we accepted Jesus and continues until Christ returns.”

CONCLUSION

When Christ becomes our focus, our reason for existence, confidence replaces our anxiety, fears and insecurities. This fact will help us overcome common joy stealers in life.

1. Christ broadens our circumstances to see the bigger picture. Limitations can become a challenge rather than a chore.
2. Christ delivers us from the preoccupation of others. Other people’s opinions, motives, and criticisms no longer seem important.
3. Christ calms our fears about our future and ourselves. This gives us daily hope!