We
lack confidence in ourselves because we let our previous failures and negative
experiences conquer our current state of mind and emotions. We let previous
failures rule our thoughts and convince ourselves that we are limited in what
we can do or achieve in the present and future.
What
is stopping you from leaving the current job you dislike so much and applying
for the job of your dreams? What is stopping you from leaving a boyfriend who
mistreats you? Or from seeking help when you are a victim of domestic violence
or any form of abuse? Who is stopping you from believing that you can attain
your goals? And above all, what is stopping you from offering yourself to
being the faithful, trusting daughter of God you were destined to be?
Quite
simply, it is fear! Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure, and ultimately,
fear of stepping out in faith! This fear can be brought on by yourself, or
influenced or “drilled into your head” by others.
We've
heard the worldly cliché, "believe in yourself, and you can do anything".
This is often deemed "good advice" when people seek help from friends
and even some secular professionals when they’re experiencing a confidence
meltdown or anxiety. Quite simply, this statement asserts that by relying on
your own strength, human abilities and limitations, you can excel...
But
this flawed advice which inevitably leaves room for human failure, and a
possible bigger drop in personal belief and morale, can be superseded by advice
that is given to us by God our Father. Advice, that we can rely on and trust
when we are overwhelmed with fear, doubt, or just lacking the confidence we
need to be the great woman, wife or mother we can be. To simply live the life
that God has ordained for us.
Most
of us are familiar with the famous recount of the battle between David and
Goliath.
In
the book of 1 Samuel 17, we see the young shepherd boy David take on the
powerful Giant Goliath against all odds. When the Palestinian giant Goliath provokes
the Israelite army to attack him in order to win the battle, none of the
mighty, armoured soldiers are brave enough to confront him. But we see a
seemingly weak and timid, unarmoured shepherd boy David, place himself in front
of the giant, armed with nothing but a sling and a stone for a weapon. But his
mighty faith and trust in the God of Israel was his assuring defence. Against
all known odds, the young boy defeats Goliath and all the surrounding soldiers
see the giant fall to the ground to his, and to Palestine’s demise.
Was
it David’s sling shot and stone that fought off this terrifying giant? Or was
it his unmovable faith and trust in the strength of His mighty God? David’s
confidence in God shone through and eliminated any trace of fear he would have
felt. This is evident in the statement
he makes to the giant before he attempts to attack him; “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom you have taunted (1 Samuel 17:45).
St
Paul, on his many missionary journeys experienced sufferings and hardships of many
kinds. He escaped death, sickness, shipwrecks, imprisonment, beatings,
persecutions and ultimately beheading all for the work of the gospel, and the
glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:25-30). If many of us today
were to experience even a fraction of the tribulations that St Paul encountered
and endured, how would we react? More than likely, we would tremble with fear
because of the unknown future, doubt in God's presence and ability to protect us, and
definitely lack the confidence we need to march on bravely against all
opposition that comes our way.
But
instead of believing in himself alone, St Paul believed in God! He
knew that his work was not in vain, or for personal gain, but to glorify God’s
name. So he confidently trusted that God
would deliver him in His perfect way. St. Paul’s famous statement that pulled
him through and that has also pulled me through many painful and fearful
moments in my life is, Philippians 4:13; I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. (I actually have a small poster if this verse stuck up
on my wall, so it’s the first thing I see every morning).
And
let us consider the blessed Saint Shmooni whom we discussed last week. Did she
allow the opposition from the king and hateful persecutors to come between her
and her destiny? Did she not rather confront her biggest fears as a mother, and
witness the death of not one, but all seven of her martyred sons in front of
her eyes, before bravely giving her own life as a Martyr for her faith. Her enemies tried to instil fear in her with
a hope that she would compromise her faith and identity for a comfortable
earthly life. But Saint Shmooni faithfully trusted in God’s good will and
purpose for her and her sons and did not allow her biggest fears stop her from
fulfilling her destiny and that of her sons. Even if it meant death! (Refer to last
week’s Saint Shmooni blog article)
How
often do we apply the simple principal of faith to our sometimes overwhelming
lives?
Do
we know that FAITH is the only true cure to overcoming FEAR? As unworthy children of
God through baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, we are to live our
lives with confidence in Christ, and live by the Spirit. As St. Paul
confirms in his letter to the Romans: For you have
not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but
you have received a
spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “ Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15
St. John Chrysostom writes: “If Christ is
with me, whom shall I fear? Though the waves and the sea and the anger of
princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web. Indeed,
unless you, my brothers, had detained me, I would have left this very day. For
I always say “Lord, your will be done”; not what this fellow or that would have
me do, but what you want me to do. That is my strong tower, my immovable rock,
my staff that never gives way. If God wants something, let it be done! If
he wants me to stay here, I am grateful. But wherever he wants me to be, I am
no less grateful.”
Always
remember that in any and every seemingly fearful situation that arises in life,
we, like David, St Paul, and all of the mighty Saints before us, can do
everything through Christ who strengthens us!
Fear,
beloved sister, is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). And God's perfect love and
light casts out all the fears and insecurities that can potentially consume you
(1 John 4:18). If you reflect on your current life circumstances and know that
you are not living your life with the confidence that Christ’s love, conquering
death and resurrection brings, then you are not living life to your fullest God-given
potential.
So
instead of accepting an unfulfilled existence of living with no or little self-confidence,
or fear and self-doubt, offer your fearful, burdened heart to Jesus Christ your
saviour, who frees you from these binding chains and shows you His healing
love. Beseech Him today and ask Him to forgive your past mistakes, give you strength
and help to change today, and lead you with guidance and hope for a more
confident future! (Philippians 4:6-7)
This week’s song:
Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth
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