Part 3- The Right Kind of Self-Confidence

Mathew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (King James Version)

This scripture seems to go against everything we learn in the world. Our society says that only the strong survive and the weakest link should be eliminated. However, a meek person is not a weak person. A meek person is merely one who relies on God more than his or herself. Trusting God leads to a quiet strength and confidence that can overcome any obstacle. How?

By knowing the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

When we know without a shadow of doubt that God is for us, we develop the self-confidence we need to succeed. Don't get me wrong. Self-confidence is not arrogance (a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims). Not at all! As Christians, our claims to receive healing, wholeness, and prosperity are not presumptuous because the Word of God backs them.

Jesus was able to do mighty miracles of healing because His belief and confidence in God was unshakeable. If He said, "Woman, thou art healed!" She was healed. If He said "Pick up your bed and walk." Then, the man picked up his bed and walked--end of story. What did Jesus know that made Him so confident?

• He knew God was real. (Read Hebrews 11:6)
  
• He knew God accepted and loved Him. (Read Matthew 3:17)
• He knew God wants the best for His children. (Read Matthew 7:11)
  
• He knew He was authorized to speak the Word of God to bring healing. (Read Matthew 8:6-13)
  
• He knew God would honor His Word. (Read Ezekiel 12:25)

This angered the Pharisees of the day who had a type of religion, but no power. They knew that only the Messiah (the Son of God) could do the kind of miracles that Jesus did, like raising the dead or giving sight to those who were blind from birth. They thought he was arrogant for thinking He was the Son of God. But, guess what? HE WAS AND IS THE SON OF GOD.

Jesus was simply confident in the role the Father had given him.

Jesus was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those that are bruised, (Luke 4:18, paraphrased)

As followers of Christ we have the same anointing available to us. The question is, "What are we doing with it?" Are we shrinking back in fear because we are afraid that God will let us down? Or, are we moving forward boldly because of our trust in God?

Remember, as children of God we have the same authority that Jesus had on the earth. As our confidence in God increases, our confidence to carry out our God-given assignment increases too! Confidence in God produces:

• Confidence in our decisions
  
• Confidence that we hear from God clearly
  
• Confidence in the Word of God
  
• Confidence that God will work through us
  
• Confidence that leads to action
  
• Confidence that is willing to take risks
  

About the Author: Valerie Morrow was born-again at the tender age of 5, but has been chasing Jesus and the will of God seriously for about 10 years. As busy (we prefer the word productive) wife, mother, entrepreneur, leader, ministry student and writer, she focuses on being well-balanced, as a necessity in life. Valerie has been a waitress, a secretary, a receptionist, a marketing assistant, an account coordinator, an account manager, a marketing director, a business owner and the "candy lady." She has learned the meaning of being secure in Christ regardless of your position or function in life and loves to share her insights through devotionals, bible studies and "self- improvement" articles from a Biblical perspective. Valerie is the wife of Henry Morrow and the mother of Henry and Charli Kathryn. She is an active member of Without Walls International Church under the leadership of Sr. Pastor Paula White in Tampa, Florida.