Confidence in God
First let's break down the work confidence.
con·fi·dence (/ˈkänfəd(ə)ns/) noun
1. the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.
So when we have confidence in God we have the feeling or belief that we can rely on Him. We have firm trust in God. "Firm" is a very operative word in that definition.
firm (/fərm/) adjective
1. having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure
2. solidly in place and stable
3. strongly felt and unlikely to change
4. having steady but not excessive power or strength
5. (of a person, action, or attitude) showing resolute determination and strength of character
6. (of a currency, a commodity, or shares) having a steady value or price that is more likely to rise than fall
When looking at the definition for firm, the first three definitions jump at me the most. When we have a firm trust in God our trust is solid. A solid trust is unyielding, which means it is sturdy and will not break. Solidly in place and stable also speaks to me because it gives a feel of inflexibility and immovability. When you are stable and/or solidly in place you are "standing on business" as the new generation calls it. Finally, definition three, which is my favorite. Strongly felt and unlikely to change. That one is my favorite because although we may serve God for many years, as we go to trials and tribulations there may be times when we have more or less confidence in God. We may trust him more in a certain situation and then later on go through another situation that we feel differently. We trust God, but... We have confidence He will see us through but it just doesn't feel as certain.
It is an interesting concept because having confidence means that you are sure. There is a sense of determination or surety. You're relying on that thing. If we want to talk about having confidence in one self that may be a foreign concept for some. We may doubt our ability. Or because we know our ability we may doubt the potential success for a certain thing we may want to accomplish. Maybe it is the first time you are embarking on this journey, and while you feel as though you can do it, the unknkown and the uncertainty it may bring will cause you to doubt yourself. If we feel that way with the being that we sleep with and live with everyday, how much harder would it be to trust and be confident in a being we cannot see.
The thing about feelings is that they change frequently. Have you ever felt happy one minute and then sad the next? Or woken up and felt like it was going to be a good day and about two hours in you're over it? Those are our ever fluctuating feelings. We cannot put trust in feelings that change every so often. This could be the very reason why we have trouble having confidence in ourselves because we can't ever make up our mind. Today I may be pumped to do this thing and think I can do it, but tomorrow I may decide I don't want to because I feel unmotivated and I am full of self doubt. It is hard to put confidence in ourselves when we are not consistent. We can have full confidence in God though because God will never change!
Confidence in God will stabilize our lives in that we know who to turn to when it gets crazy. Psalms 121 states, "I lift my eyes to the hills where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." When we know where our help comes from we may find it easier to have confidence in God. Proverbs 3:5 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." When we put our trust in God we can move from the shaky confidence we have in ourselves to a firm, unyielding, stable, and unlikely to change confidence in God. The fact of the matter is that our circumstances are ever changing, and because of that our feelings are ever changing as well. The great part about that is that God knows that, loves us all the same. God does not look down at us just shaking his head for every mistake we make saying "if only they would just learn." God has factored in all of our flaws and stupidity already, and still loves us the same. No matter what life may throw at us and what we may feel about the situation, about life, about ourselves, or even about God, God wants you to bring it to him. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to bring to God all of our concerns. When we do that we can then receive his peace which surpasses all understanding. The peace that will guard our hearts and our minds and protect us from our flailing emotions.
Sometimes, as an adult, I want just one opportunity to throw a fit. When I say fit, I mean a fullblown temper tantrum as if I were 2 years old. I'm talking kicking, screaming, throwing myself on the floor, and dragging myself around while I carry on and on. I'd like to be afforded the opportunity to not have to be strong, or hold out a brave face. I want to be able to have a meltdown when I feel the world caving in on me. I want to kick and scream, yelling "I don't wanna!" at the top of my lungs. And I want to stay there until someone bribes me with ice cream or something else I like all because I'm embarrassing them in the middle of the streets. All of that is a very valid way to feel. It is not irrational to want to just let of our emotions out in an emotion dump, especially if that is the wave in which we feel them. Now although I know that I would get some serious and questioning stares if I carried on in this way in the street (on fact, I think my loved ones would absolutely leave me there and keep it moving and not in the way you pretend to trick the child into acting right--I'm talking they will flat out leave me there, I am an adult after all and can find my way home), there is nothing that says I cannot let all my emotions out to God in the secret place. God wants it all-- the good, the bad, and the ugly. The beautiful worship, the ugly cry, and even the yelling if that's how you feel. There is no hiding our true emotions from God. There's no hiding our true selves from God. We are completely open books to him.
I urge you to take that knowledge and truly open up to him. Let him know what is bothering you and why. Even if you know he knows. Tell him anyway. He longs to build relationship with you. Yes, he knows what you need. Tell him anyway. This is the only way to build confidence in God. Especially in those times when our surer than sure faith turns into "will he do it again?" Will God come through for you one more time? Will God fulfill that prayer that you had before, that you turned from begging to thanksgiving? Talk to him about it so you can get your answer. Maybe the answer is Yes. Maybe the answer is Not now. Maybe the answer is No my child, I have something better. You won't know if you don't converse with him. And if you don't converse with him you won't be able to build a confidence in the God you don't see. Sure you can feel him, but what happens to the day you don't feel him as strongly or unequivocally? Do you lose faith? Is you firm faith now a gelatin? Does your confidence never quite turn into confidence?
"IN HIM AND THROUGH FAITH IN HIM (JESUS) WE MAY APPROACH GOD WITH FREEDOM AND CONFIDENCE" Ephesians 3:12
Let us be free in Jesus and tap into the boldness that he has given us. Let us become more confident in God. Knowing that He is a good Father. Having Faith that He will do what He said He will do. Knowing that if He did it before, He can do it again. God has never changed and He never will-- that is OUR CONFIDENCE!
- 2.strongly felt and unlikely to change."he retains a firm belief in the efficacy of prayer"
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