Philippians 4:13 –
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Today I want to explore the virtue of confidence. In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, confidence is a vital quality that empowers us to face life’s trials with courage and faith. As children of God, our confidence is not merely self-reliance but is deeply rooted in our trust in God. Confidence means having a firm belief in our abilities, qualities, and judgment. It involves trusting ourselves to handle various situations and challenges effectively, without being hindered by self-doubt or fear.
The words ‘confide’ and ‘confidence’ have a common meaning. They come from the Latin verb “fidere,” which means “to trust.” Confidence, then, is the state of self-assurance and trust in our abilities, qualities, and judgment. When we have confidence, we believe in our capacity to handle whatever situations and challenges we encounter; we trust that we can deal with what life throws at us.
To confide means to trust someone enough to share personal, private, or sensitive information with them. When we confide in someone, we place our trust in that person to keep our secrets and provide support.
Our confidence stems from our faith in God. Spiritual confidence is not boasting about our abilities, our skills, or our talents, but about trusting in God’s strength. Our opening Bible verse reminds us that our ability to overcome challenges comes from Christ. Our confidence in Him empowers us to face any situation with assurance and peace. This inner confidence is not shaken by external circumstances because it is securely anchored in the unchanging nature of God.
The philosopher, Aristotle, born in 384 BC wrote much about virtues. He taught that virtues were examples of excellent rational activity. Those who exhibit courage, honor, justice, and the like, according to Aristotle, are just thinking clearly and reasoning well.
He taught a concept called “The Golden Mean.” Virtues were the balance of two extremes: one of excess and one of deficiency. For instance: Courage is the middle way between cowardice, the deficiency, and recklessness, the excess. Generosity is mid-way between stinginess and reckless extravagance. Confidence is the middle point between self-deprecation and arrogance.
This mid-centered virtue, this excellent reasoning, was sometimes closer to one extreme than the other, depending upon the situation and the maturity and flexibility of our reasoning. In other words, we select the middle ground for the virtues we express. They are not ingrained; they are learned and chosen.
Confidence plays a crucial role in various aspects of life, offering numerous benefits, including improved mental health. Confidence helps reduce anxiety and fear. When we believe in our abilities, we are less likely to be plagued by self-doubt and negative thoughts.
Our success in life depends to a great degree on the amount of confidence we have in ourselves. Self-confidence is the balanced, sure feeling that comes from knowing that God is with us to guide and provide for us. We have self-confidence when we rely on the divine presence in us that is always dependable, that gives us the ability to cope with the situations in our lives. Proverbs 3:26 teaches: “For the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.”
Confident individuals have greater resilience and are better equipped to handle setbacks and failures. They view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Part of our life lessons as a child of God having a human experience in a body is that we are going to face experiences that challenge us. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God’s presence is a source of immense confidence. Knowing that He is with us, guiding and supporting us, dispels fear and fills us with courage. We can face any challenge, assured that we are not alone.
Confidence can improve our interactions with others. It helps us communicate more effectively, assert our needs, and build stronger, more positive relationships. The virtue of confidence fuels motivation and perseverance. When we believe in our potential, we are more likely to set ambitious goals and work diligently to achieve them. Whether in academics, music, dance, sports, public speaking, or professional settings, confidence can enhance performance. It allows us to focus on our tasks without being hindered by self-doubt.
To develop more confidence, we must expand our faith and trust in God. In Psalm 139:13-14 we read: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Understanding that we are wonderfully made by God can boost our self-esteem and confidence. We do not have to compare ourselves with anyone else. Everyone’s journey is unique, and comparing our progress and achievements to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
To increase our confidence, we need to make a point of acknowledging our progress and successes, no matter how small. If you have been around children as they were learning to walk, you will have witnessed the process of developing any virtue, including confidence. We all start by falling and failing, regardless of the activity. But if you have ever met anyone who can walk, you know that they have fallen many times but have always gotten back up.
We all have done that and can do that. I remember the sense of horror as I was learning to sing and had to perform in front of my peers. My mouth would dry out; my mind would stop working along with my memory. I once forgot an entire verse of a song and made it up as I went along. It was a song about nature, so I made up words about a butterfly’s journey. After I got off stage, my instructor asked me where I found that verse.
Life is not always pretty; things are going to happen, but 1 Corinthians 3:16 asks us: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” We are asked to trust and know that Spirit is with us always. “Wherever we are, God is, and all is well.” Do we not know that? Do we not believe that?
Our identity as a child of God gives us a profound sense of confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 states, ““But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” We are loved, valued, and chosen by God. This understanding transforms how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we approach life’s challenges. We are not defined by our failures or successes but by our relationship with God.
Confidence, the balanced virtue between self-doubt and self-importance, is essential for personal growth, effective communication, and overall well-being. It empowers us to face life’s challenges with a positive mindset and achieve our goals. It is my prayer that as we reflect on the virtue of confidence, we remember that our confidence is rooted in our faith in God. It is sustained by His promises, presence, and our identity in Christ.
Let us think of ourselves as being Christ-confident. With this knowledge we press on and accomplish things we might not have been able to accomplish yesterday. Being Christ-confident, we call forth abilities and possibilities that we have never before called on or used. When we are Christ-confident, we can attain our highest goals. I pray that we will cultivate this confidence in our daily lives, facing challenges with courage and self-assurance, knowing that wherever we are - God is, and together we can confidently face life with peace, joy, and love.
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