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(as presented by Lisa Bishop)
If you want unwavering confidence in life, it matters who and what you place your confidence in. As a follower of Jesus, we need to take inventory of the ways we pursue assurance, and how we misplace our confidence in things other than him.
What is a fail proof method to grow in unwavering confidence? Immersing yourself in the Word of God so that you are reminded of the character of God and his promises to you.
When you remember who God is, your confidence will increase. I know it can be hard to remain steadfast in our confidence in the Lord. Life circumstances come, we are caught off guard and our confidence can be like a teeter totter. One minute it is high, the next minute it is low. But as we mature in our faith, we level out and we learn that no matter our circumstances, God can be trusted.
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge” (Proverbs 14:26, ESV).
When we are instructed to fear the Lord the word fear means to show honor, reverence, and a sense of awe towards God. And in Proverbs 14:26 the fear of the Lord, means an awe of God that moves us from self-confidence and towards strong confidence in his love and greatness.
As his child, God will always provide himself as a refuge for you. This means when life is hard and you are tempted to despair, be discouraged or doubt God, he is, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 46:1, your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
While life may throw you curveballs and loss and chaos may ensue at the most surprising times, you serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is not surprised by the things that life throws your way, He sees you. He knows, he cares, he is with you. “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5b, NLT).
What is one step you will take in building your unwavering confidence in God? Maybe it is journaling so that you can reflect back on the ways that you saw God working in your life. Maybe it is reciting the names and attributes of God so that you remember his character. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 62:8, “Trust [confidently] in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”