2."God personally forms and shapes us for a purpose and that purpose is for the Potter's Glory"
I was speaking to my friend today and the topic of "Confidence" popped up. She told me about the fact that she felt confident the previous year but all of a sudden, she seemed to have lost it all.
I remembered the time in high school when we used to talk about this issue and I figured that this hadn't been dealt with properly by both of us even up until now (i.e. about 6years later).
I asked her about this and posed the question "How long is it going to take for you to be confident in yourself? Is it when you are 50 or maybe 80years? This made me realise that the more we dwell on the issue of not being confident, the more we spend our lives not really going for what we want.
Our perception of ourselves is projected out whether we like it or not and this causes others to either respond in a negative or positive way towards us and in turn, our own spirits are either lifted or dampened.
"Clay sculpture...representing me, i'm in a fetal position, small and alone, crying and completely self-focused, feeling rejected, this is what it looks like for me when i've allowed myself to be consumed by all my insecurities, fears, & hurts."
God has not called us to look down on ourselves; His creation.
He said to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous" when He chose him to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, their leader. God repeated this several times and we should be aware that each time a particular verse is repeated, it suggests its importance and thus should be taken note of.
Fear is the consequence of a lie. The same applies to having a low self esteem. We have been told that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14) so listening to any other voice contrary to this makes us wonder, whose voice are we listening to? Are we paying attention to the lie we have told ourselves constantly or the truth that God has clearly spoken about our identities.
"My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me" (John 10:27). Do you know the voice of the one who has spoken truthfully about you, and do you know what He has said?
Let us find our identities in God and always remember that He has called us His own and has made us in His image and likeness regardless of our "flaws" (Genesis 1:27).
It is important that when we find ourselves losing confidence, we remember that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Even if it doesn't seem real, meditate upon it until it becomes a part of you. Let it be like a silent prayer in your head at all times and remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philipians 4:13)
Let us not try to find ourselves in achievements, aquisitions (i.e. material things), relationships, appearance or any other thing that might temporarily fill that Gap. Only God can fill it. Find the truth in His word and walk in that Truth daily.
"This is my second clay sculpture...representing me, i'm part of a friendly clay coffee mug that is meant for daily use to be filled up and poured out in relationship, i've got my arms outstretched looking outward ready to dive deep, it's no longer all about me and i'm standing with courage knowing & trusting that the Potter is the one who will take the mug in his hands to use as He desires. Here Am I Lord, Send Me. Have Your Way."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)
What issue of confidence have you had and how have you dealt with it? Care to share!
