How confident are you?
Bold? Sure of yourself?
Or shy? Hesitant? Second guessing yourself?
Lately, the Lord has been teaching me about where true confidence comes from. I talked it through with someone recently, and I think God is recreating some foundations in my life, which is exciting!
I always marvel at people who forge forward, bold and even outspoken, and seemingly so sure of themselves. How on earth do they do it? That’s never been me.
But the Lord is teaching me something. The root of having confidence is where I am looking for my identity. Am I looking to other people’s reactions to determine who I am? Or am I looking to God?
I belong to Christ. Trusting in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, my identity in rooted in Him (and yours can be too, if you come to know Him as Saviour- you can find out more here).
I’m beginning to realise that, if I look to God, moment by moment and no matter the context, it could change an awful lot. I’m realising that’s what Jesus did: He kept looking to the Father; listening to Who the Father said He was. I’m realising that He was bold, courageous, firm to say hard things when they were needed, in a loving but uncompromising way, because His eyes were on the Father, and the Father affirmed Him.
‘Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”’ Mark 1:11
I think the Lord wants me to learn to live like that, too. Looking to Him, not other people, for affirmation, moment by moment, and no matter what’s happening around me. Trying to find my identity in other people is a kind of idolatry, after all, because only God is my Creator.
The more I soak in His Word, His love and affirmation, looking at Him, the more I will grow, over time, into someone who is bolder, and firmer, and stronger in Him. It doesn’t mean I have to be forceful or assertive in a mean way: it’s more of a calm, strong certainty in God, that isn’t afraid to tell the truth.
I’m working on another album of songs at the moment. I like to do it slowly, over a few months, as the songs grow. And I tend to find that, as I seek the Lord about the songs, He ministers to me through them as they grow. This next album is becoming an album about finding your identity in God. And I think that one of the songs is called ‘Confidence’. It’s not finished yet, and I usually end up changing the lyrics multiple times as the songs grow!
But I think the hook line is something like this:
“I don’t need to fear, cos Father, You give me confidence.”
I’m realising that it’s not about being super-strong, or never feeling weak (the apostle Paul was!). It’s about where I look.
About who I am listening to.
And what does the Father say to me?
‘”‘Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'”‘ Isaiah 41:10
These are the lyrics of another song on the future album (this one’s probably close to finished!). My words aren’t Scripture, so please don’t take them that way, but they are my imperfect attempt to capture a sense of encouragement from the Lord for His child who belongs to Him through faith in Christ.
Mine
You don’t need to be afraid.
You don’t need to fear their anger.
The cross has released your chains.
The truth is so much stronger.
You’re precious in My eyes.
You were made by design.
You’re known by the Father.
You’re treasured as Mine,
And you’d find such peace
If you could glimpse
The love in My eyes.
You’re made in My image,
With beauty designed:
Washed clean by the blood,
So favoured, so loved;
Precious child, you’re Mine.
And now you don’t need to hide.
There’s something you can offer.
Use the gifts I’ve placed inside
And they will bring life to others.
You carry life and light,
And I want to use your life.
You’re known by the Father.
You’re treasured as Mine,
And you’d find such peace
If you could glimpse
The love in My eyes.
You’re made in My image,
With beauty designed;
Washed clean by the blood,
So favoured, so loved;
Precious child, you’re Mine.
Yes, sometimes they are unkind
And things that they say may hurt you,
But only My words define
For I am the One Who formed you.
They may not understand,
But you were made by My hand
It’s not because of you,
But I have washed you,
And I have bought you.
You’ve been chosen as Mine.
And I am loving,
I’m protecting,
Defending My own,
And holding you close
For you are My child.
You’re known by the Father.
You’re treasured as Mine
And you’d find such peace
If you could glimpse
The love in My eyes.
You’re made in My image,
With beauty designed;
Washed clean by the blood,
So favoured, so loved;
Precious child, you’re Mine.
I am definitely a work in progress. I have a long way to go with this, and believe me, I fail! But I think my Father wants me to grasp that listening to Him changes everything, because only He gets to determine who I am.
May you be encouraged in that today, too!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 