Choose to accept and become the person God has made you to be.
John Mason
Five Ways to Boost Your Confidence
How many times have you said no to something simply because you lacked the confidence to do it? Granted, we don’t need to say yes to every crazy opportunity that presents itself, but there are times when we ought to step forward and have a little faith in our own abilities. In fact, that’s what the word confidence means – with faith. So how do we increase our belief in our own abilities? Let’s consider five ways:
Try New Things – You never know until you try. Your belief in yourself grows when you try something new and grow from the experience. Don’t be afraid of mistakes – they happen. What is important is that you step forward in courage and face the fear of the unknown.
Grow from Every Blunder – Instead of beating yourself up and thinking of yourself as a failure, use every mistake as a growth opportunity. Allow errors to make you smarter and stronger. Most success stories are built on the foundation of lessons learned from mistakes.
Build on Your Strengths – What are you good at? Take stock of the things you do well and continue to strengthen those areas of your life. As we learn, grow and build in our areas of giftedness, we continue to get better and better at what we do and of course our self-confidence grows as a result.
Manage Around Your Weaknesses – Just as each of us have areas of strength, we also have a few weak spots. Don’t let them get you down, rather learn to work around them. Figure out ways to delegate or get the help you need so that your limitations don’t stifle you or impair you from doing what you do best.
Stop Comparing with Others – It never helps to think of yourself in relation to other people. Comparisons only breed pride or poor self-esteem. Be thankful for the unique way that God has created you, and use your gifts to serve and help others.
Ultimately our confidence is built on a belief system. If we believe that a loving God designed us, formed us and created us for a purpose, then we can walk in confidence knowing that He has a plan for our lives. We can also have the assurance that we do not walk alone. His Spirit leads us and guides us each step of the way as we look to Him for wisdom, strength and hope.
Where do you lack confidence? Ask God to help you face your fears. And remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash
For more on Confidence check out my book, A Woman’s Secret to Confident Living.
The Classroom of Peace
Sitting by a still pond, or relaxing by a lazy river offers a calm and peaceful surrounding to be sure, but these are not the places that God uses to teach us peace. If we are going to learn what true peace is like, then our classroom will most likely be in the midst of troubles, turmoil and challenges. Personally, I would love to go through life learning only happy lessons from easy instructors, but that’s not where the best lessons are learned. Thinking back to schooldays, easy classes were nice, but it was the challenging classes that strengthened me and lifted me to new heights of knowledge and understanding.
The troubles in our lives may lead us to question God. “Don’t you want me to have peace? Why do you allow my life to be so difficult?” I’m sure many of the early Christians felt this way as they faced persecution of all types. James wrote to encourage them saying, “My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need.”
In a troubled marriage, God can develop a peace that passes all understanding. When a child goes astray, He is able to give us peace. His peace is available in the midst of cancer, or MS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Peace is barely recognizable in calm surroundings, but it shines brightly in our trials and difficulties. That’s how we know the peace is from Him and way beyond us. Jesus said, “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Father, our hearts are prone to worry and fear, but you are the God of peace. Thank you that just as you calmed the restless sea, you can calm our heart and mind. Father we trust you with the details of our life, we look to you for joy and peace to fill our soul. We love you Lord. Thank you for your great love for us and the way you work in our lives beyond what we can imagine.
Photo by Óscar Dejean on Unsplash
Living with Courage
God is in the courage-giving business. Throughout the Bible we hear the call again and again, “Fear not for I am with you.” God’s message is one of faith and courage, not fear and trembling. From Abraham, to Joshua, to Mary to the shepherds in the field, God has been proclaiming to the generations, “Do not be afraid.” In the Psalms we are reminded, “Even when I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” There is comfort in knowing we are not alone, that God is close beside us through our difficulties. What a reassurance comes when we remember God’s voice saying, “I am with you.”
I’m reminded of the encouragement God gave Joshua as he took over the leadership of the Israelites,
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
God wanted Joshua to continually meditate on His commands and to walk in courage. The Israelite leader had to face many difficult battles, but God gave him what he needed for each battle. God doesn’t want us to live in the discouragement of fear, but rather the courage of knowing He is with us.
Powerful Truth
We can replace our fears with faith in God and with seeking His wisdom and direction.
Plan of Action
- Recognize the fears that lurk in your life.
- Seek God’s direction and help.
- Praise and thank God in the midst of your worries and fears.
- Remember the battle is the Lord’s.
- Do not be discouraged and do not give into despair.
- Ask for His peace that passes all understanding.
- Walk forward with wisdom, patience and faith.
This blog is an excerpt from Positive Life Principles for Women
Photo by Joyce McCown on Unsplash
Finding Your Flow
Do you ever get so wrapped up in a hobby or activity or even work that you lose all sense of time? For me, I often become immersed in what I am writing, and hours can slip away without me even noticing. For others, it may be training for a race or designing a floral arrangement or accomplishing a new song on the piano or working on a creative project at work. Being completely immersed or absorbed in an activity that is challenging, yet geared toward your skills is described as the joyful state of flow.
Contemporary psychologist say that flow is highly correlated with happiness. Furthermore, studies have found that people who often experience flow are likely to develop additional positive traits such as self-esteem, focus and greater performance. Flow is not something forced, rather it is intrinsically motivated. It’s what Eric Liddell, of Chariots of Fire fame, spoke about when he said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”
How beautiful it is to allow the flow of the Holy Spirit to work through our unique gifts to bring glory to God and blessings to others. God has equipped each of us with different interests, passions and abilities, and we can experience great pleasure as we express them in this world. As believers in Christ, we have the joy of knowing that God’s Spirit works in mighty ways through us, as He not only gives us gifts, but enables us to use them.
Jesus said, “Whoever believe in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Invite the flow of His Spirit to pour through you this week.
Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash
The Power of Reconciliation
We all have different ways of viewing life, from values to politics to religion to simply how to raise our kids. Sadly, these differences often lead to disagreements, misunderstandings and broken relationships. This week, I want to focus on the joy of restoration and the power of reconciliation both with people and with God.
If you have ever experienced a shattered friendship, family relationship or even a business partnership, then you know the deep pain it can instill. It often makes us question our own self-worth or value. It can also stir up anger, blame and unforgiveness toward those who have hurt us. Yet, when understanding and forgiveness override our disputes and divisions, we invite love and restoration to heal our wounds.
Although forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing, they are related. Forgiveness is an inward action as we choose to release the right to hold something over another person. Reconciliation, on the other hand, means to settle a quarrel or bring things back into harmony. Forgiveness is an essential element in working toward reconciliation.
Those who live with a heart of forgiveness toward others
have the opportunity to experience the deep joy
and inner peace that reconciliation offers.
Isn’t that the essence of Easter? The broken relationship between Holy God and sinful man was restored through Jesus death on the cross and resurrection. His sacrifice provided forgiveness and reconciliation for all who place their trust in Him. This is the joy of Easter! This is what we celebrate!
If God went to such great lengths to reconcile us to Himself, shouldn’t we also make an effort to reconcile our differences with others?
