Wisdom is the principal thing

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (She smiles at the future) - Proverbs 31:25

Confidence is becoming in a woman! It reaches to those who lack it, and those who want it, follow! But have you ever really thought about what confidence actually is? Trust in oneself? Faith in God? The ability to speak in public?

CONFIDENCE: n. Firm trust; assurance of manner – feeling or showing assurance. Belief, certainty, composure, hope.

Let’s have a look at some of these words. Trust. Assurance. Belief. Certainty. These are strong secure words. But those last two -Composure. Hope. They seem to have a different image. They aren’t as immovable as the others sound.

Anyone can be confident, but there is a difference between a worldly confidence (trusting in oneself and in material things) and a godly confidence. I believe that there are 2 main foundations of a godly confidence:

1. 1. Confidence is a firm trust in God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”. Proverbs 3:5-7

Have you noticed that trust is certainly not a passive verb? It is very much active! Trust isn’t sitting on our hands and stating that we believe that God will come through. Trust acknowledges. Trust also actively chooses to do good.

1. 2. Confidence is being assured of a future and a hope

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever looked through the bible to find out God’s promises? There are many! However the one theme that they all hold is that we have hope. Take some time to find some of those promises and see which ones you need to hold close to your heart to give you hope. It might be health, relationally, financially, even promises of wisdom and understanding.

So a godly confidence is a confidence that can be unshakeable because it does not depend on circumstances. It looks beyond that which is seen and that which seems hopeless and gives us trust and assurance.

There is something that can be a bit of a confidence-buster though. Matthew 6:25-34 paints us a pretty good picture. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear….do not worry about tomorrow…” You can read the whole bit for yourself, but you get the message – WORRY. Worry is a confidence-buster. It jeopardises our confidence by eating away at that hope and composure and presenting us with doubt and insecurity. How can we combat it?

I believe this bit is so important it needs to be in bold and centred:

Composure and hope come first from a foundation of belief and certainty.

We see confidence as an air of composure and optimism, but the truth is, if we don’t first work on those foundations – of belief and of certainty – then our confidence is superficial! It is the composure and hope that attracts the attention of others and gives that ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ effect, but it must come from that belief and certainty (trust and assurance). Otherwise it isn’t lasting.

So, my dear, let all else go. Trust God. Then find what He has promised you and be assured of it. You have a future and a hope and it looks good! Then hold your head high and walk with confidence.

Sara xxx