Grasping for Confidence

From an American, individualistic set of ideals, self-confidence, self-preservation, and self-made success all rank up there as some of our top priorities as a culture. Self-help books are named the world's most popular genre and a $1 billion industry, according to an author from Publishing Perspectives (publishingperspectives.com). We all want to be confident individuals, and we are turning to self-help books to get there. We're grasping at straws to be made into something more; we want more confidence and less doubt. If we can't reach this place as a reality, we at least want the appearance of it. 

This morning I read the Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young. She writes, "True confidence comes from knowing you are complete in [God's] presence"(313). This kind of formulaic sentence is easy to understand in determining where we can actually find TRUE confidence, not merely the appearance of it. We all want this true confidence, but how do we get it? It comes from the knowledge (understanding and believing) that my wholeness comes from God alone; there is nothing else that can satisfy that desire. We're not "partially complete" in Christ. He's not "barely enough" or just a "temporary" fulfillment. It's simple really... resting in the presence of God leads to confidence and trying to rest in my own abilities leads to frustration and failure. 

In John 15:5, Jesus describes Himself as the "Vine" and humans as the "branches"; apart from Him we can do nothing. I can not muster up confidence or create it on my own, no matter how many self-help books I read. I'm sure you can find great principles in these books, but they only reveal a surface-level confidence and peace. Nothing else satisfies fully, except the presence of God.

*The secret to confidence is dependence...*

Contradictory to many media messages, cultural norms, and societal pressures... AND our own sin nature, which all tell us to only focus on ourselves, true confidence comes from knowing Christ and surrendering the burden of perfection to Him. We no longer live under the requirements of the law, which lead to fear and condemnation. God is love and His perfect love drives out the fear that has to do with punishment (1 John 4:18).

In the same Jesus Calling devotional, Sarah Young refers to this as the "road less traveled". Jesus refers to this as the narrow gate that leads to life and only few will find (Matthew 7:13-14). Continual dependence on Christ is not normal; while it's simple, it's not easy.

*The secret to confidence is dependence... and depending on the RIGHT thing*

Searching for confidence in myself results in frustration, exhaustion, and failure. I can never find it, even though my heart is often tempted to look there. This results in feeling inadequate, which is never fun, but so very true. I am inadequate on my own. I'm incapable of meeting my own spiritual needs or the needs of others. This points to my absolute need of a Savior; I need to be saved from my own self. The more often I remember this truth of my heart's condition, the more I will remember the futility of searching within myself or around myself, and learn to only look UP at the One who truly satisfies. 

Depending on God means walking in step with the Holy Spirit in each moment, rather than my flesh or selfishness. Galatians 5 and Romans 8 outline what it means to live by the flesh and to live by the Spirit. They are contradictory to each other in every way.

Evidence of Walking in the Spirit:

• No condemnation
• Freedom from sin & death
• Desires spiritual things
• Life & peace through the righteousness of Christ
• Not living by fear
• Serving one another in love
• Not under the law; under GRACE
• love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control

Evidence of Walking in the Flesh:

• "Burdened by a yoke of slavery"
• Law-filled
• Alienated from Christ
• Indulgent in sinful desires
• Desires are contrary to the Spirit
• Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness and orgies
• Will not inherit the Kingdom of God
• Conceited
• Provoking & envying one another
• Spiritual death
• Does not submit to God's law & cannot please God

 God, help me remember to seek YOU and not outside sources for peace and confidence. You give me life. You provide what I need. My confidence is found in the knowledge that I truly am complete in YOU. Relying on myself will result in failure every time, but dependence on you makes me confident. You are the Rock on which I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. 

Cornerstone -- Hillsong (Watch Music Video)

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.