We all experience times of anxiety. We lack confidence and
wonder if we will ever be enough. What if I’m not pretty enough…smart enough…strong
enough? What if he doesn’t like me? What if I don’t measure up?
What if…what if…what if?
That’s a whole lot of fear and worry we were never meant to
bear. It can be exhausting to live that way.
Thankfully, we have
choices.
We can choose to stay in an anxious place, dwelling on
ourselves and what we think we can or
cannot do. Or, we can choose to believe and live the truth about what God says
about who we really are.
What is the truth? What
does God say about your true identity? Here are just a few things:
You are…
accepted by God – Romans 15:7
loved dearly – Colossians 3:12chosen - Ephesians 1:11
blessed – Matthew 5:2-12
a friend - John 15:15the Bride of Christ – Revelation 19:7
a Child of God - John 1:12
His workmanship - Ephesians 2:10 a Citizen of heaven - Philippians 3:20
the Light of the world - Matthew 5:14
His co-worker - 2 Corinthians 6:1
victorious - 1 Corinthians 15:57
Now that’s
something to ponder.
Instead of relying on what others say or finding
confidence in yourself, you can build “God-confidence” by remembering that He
can do what you cannot.
God is at work in
you and through you; you don’t have to do this hard and messy life on your
own.
That’s a relief.
One of the most
memorable characters in the Bible lacked confidence. Remember the scene at the
burning bush? God called to Moses and asked him to go to Pharaoh, the head of Egypt , to get the people of Israel of out that country.
Instead of
thinking “God can” he fretted “Can I?” and basically said, “Please send someone
else.” (Ex. 4:13).
He felt totally unqualified; he wasn’t eloquent
enough and was slow of speech (4:10 ).
Moses wasn’t
looking at what God could do, he was fearful of what he was not.
Generations later
we read that story and wonder why Moses was so uncertain. I mean, in that
dialog alone God showed him three miracles: a bush that burns but does not burn
up, a staff that turns into a snake and back again, and Moses’ own hand that
God turned leprous and then back again.
God even said, “I
will be with you…” (3:12 ).
After all that,
you’d think Moses would believe God and not be afraid. But he doubted again and
again. Despite all that
happened, God used him mightily.
When we feel ill-equipped or inadequate, that’s the
time to totally rely on God and what He does through us.
Things change for
the better when we know—and believe—the One who loves us most and trust Him.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way
secure” (2 Samuel 22:33 ).
Immerse yourself
in God’s truth and love, and you will find insecurity fading and confidence
building.
When we see with the eyes of Christ, we see who we really
are.