My husband called me yesterday and said "God is good!" I agreed with him and asked him why the declaration. He had told God that we need a house to move to. Our search last weekend came up empty and there is nothing new available. We have to move out of this house by July 15 which is arount the corner. As Keevin traveled in his truck through the Asheville gorge he turned the radio on. The radio signal was weak but he managed to pick up 106.9 long enough to hear Beth Moore say, "God provides." Keevin heard from God that He will provide a home for us in due time--we just have to trust Him.
Later in the afternoon Keevin made the same declaration via text. He had prayed for a specific parking spot at a truck stop. He is driving a temporary truck while his is in the shop. This truck doesn't have a good radio and it doesn't have a good air conditioner. Keevin wanted a particular spot so as not to be near other trucks with running motors (for their ac's) while he kept his windows down for a cool breeze. Our great God granted him his wish. Thank You Holy Dad!
When Keevin relayed both of these accounts I thanked Holy Dad because my hubby seemed so confident. you see, as a person willingly and unconditonally trusts our great God then God grows our trust with answered prayer and peace. One thing leads to another. I challenge you to search Jesus' words about how doing things His way leads to better things, better life.
In my eyes, confidence is feeling solid and knowing the truth. And guess what God's word says about confidence? Proverbs 3:26 (AMP): "For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]." That verse looks like this when I personalize it: "Lord, You are my confidence, making me firm, steady, determined and strong. My rock, solid foundation in You keeps me from getting caught up in messes that trip me up. Thank You Father for giving me confidence!"
How does one get to this level of confidence? Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP): "[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is." This verse starts out by telling us what it leads to when we do what it teaches. Blessed. Happiness. Celebration. A confident Christian who looks like happiness will attract many folks to Jesus. But to get there we have to do 3 things. 1. Believe. God is true and He is real. Jesus is who He says He is. We have to take these statements that They are who They say They are. Take Them. Own Them. 2. Trust. Unquestioning belief and loyalty. Our King Jesus deserves this kind of affection and devotion. Hum, that sounds like love, doesn't it? 3. Relies. Depending on God and listening for His answers is one of the most confidence-growing actions one can do. It may not look like it on paper but when you hear our big, amazing God talk to you in response to a converstation you have with Him--then you'll know what I am talking about. You'll feel it, feel Him.
What if you are one of those people who don't like God or are angry with Him at the moment? I say to you--talk to Him. He is more kind and compassionate than we give Him credit for. Ephesians 3:12 (Amp): "In whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (and unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)."
This courage and confidence is not to be taken lightly. It is what you want, isn't it? Move forward and claim it. God wants you healed from whatever has brought you to the lower level that you are in. Hebrews 10:35 (NLT): "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings to you!" This verse in a personal context sounds like this: "I am holding on to my confident trust in You, Lord, no matter what happens. I am looking forward to the new person I am becoming!"
If you don't feel strong enough yet to claim this confidence try the next verse. Hebrews 13:6 (AMP): "So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and bodly say 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?" This is a good one to journal for 21 days.
What if you're a man or woman who is sabotaging your efforts? And why would you do that to yourself? Moving out of comfort zones, even those we complain about, is hard to do because these zones feel familiar. But feeling familiar doesn't always equal with being good for you. 1 John 3:21 (MSG): "And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves we're bold and free before God." (CEB) says it this way: "Dear friends, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have condfidence in relationship to God." Personalizing this one looks like this: "I am standing up to myself and saying "NO" to stunted growth. I am growing my relationship with You, Holy Dad, and stand boldly and free and confidently."
Friend, as a confident Christian you can attract many, many folks to Jesus. Jesus is a confident person and He wants you to be one also. This blog is based on the next verse and I love it! Isaiah 32:17 (NIV): "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." FOREVER! (AMP) reads it this way: "And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever." Journal this one for 21 days.
I encourage you to take up the practice of handwriting these verses once a day for 21 days to feel God's hand of favor on you, in your soul, in your spirit. Your body, actions, behaviors and thoughts, will follow what you put in it. It works because I know it works!!
Enjoy good life, confident life. Jesus' healing and peace to all, Wynndy
