Godfidence
Where we place our trust
Confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something. It’s a firm trust. A trust that can be surely found in God but if we can be honest, our actions sometimes prove otherwise. At times we find ourselves in situations that seem unfair, unsure and unrelenting. The issues of life have our attention so much to the point that it’s all we think about. The more we do so, we amplify what’s in front of us; Slowly but surely making it bigger than what it is. So what usually holds our focus and leads us astray? Lately I’ve observed two things…
Our Conflicts
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13
There were many times in the bible when people who experienced the manifest power of God, quickly withdrew after being faced with a crisis. The children of Israel saw marvelous moves of God on their behalf to lead them out of Egypt, but when the Egyptians went after them they feared for their lives. Even the disciples who walked along side Jesus, at times, lacked confidence of provision when faced with uncertainty (Matthew 14:15). But Jesus and Moses’ response served as an example to their followers by displaying unwavering faith in the face of adversity.
Our Lack
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27
At times there are moments when you can be overwhelmed by the things that involve you. Sometimes we look up and it seems like our responsibilities just grew overnight. Our language starts to sound a little like this: “My schedule is piling up, how I am going to do it all?” “My car needs to be fixed but I just don’t have the money right now!” “I don’t know what to do about lunch and dinner for the next few days…”
In our moments of toxic emotions and unfortunate situations we are tempted to put all of our energy towards it. But it is in those moments where we can decide to do that or look toward Jesus; not the issues we face, things we’ve lacked, not even the emotions that try to overwhelm us; But Jesus. Turning our attention and direction towards the one who holds the answer to what we’re facing.
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. “Jeremiah 17:7-8
Now of course, this is something we practice. With all of the situations we face in life, every circumstance might not be met with the right perspective. But practicing the principles of trusting in God will lead to more stability, more confidence and a better way of facing trials and tribulations that are to come.