Confident living

Confidence has a snowball effect. Each time you do things to practice this skill, you gain the ability to do them more effortlessly the next time.

For years I worried about what others might think, now I tell myself what I’d be missing out on if I didn’t do it. I had convinced myself growing up, that if people got to know me, they might not like me. So that meant living a life of intimidation, insecurity, and rejection. I missed out in so many opportunities to enjoy the gift of friendships in the early years of my adulthood.

During the middle of my senior year in high school I moved to a new state, lived in a new housing development, and started attending a new school.

Isolation and depression knocked at my door daily. One morning during my devotions, I found this scripture that helped to change everything:

For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. —2 Timothy 1:7 TLB

Some weeks later I read a book by Charles Capps, entitled The Tongue: A Creative Force. I discovered that we can be held captive in our circumstances by our own words. I learned it was important to speak His faith-filled words into my situation so I could see my life transformed.

God’s Word says in Proverbs 12:14 “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life…” I can allow God's creative power to flow from me through my words.

I was encouraged to personalize 2 Timothy 1:7 into my declaration of faith: “I am not afraid of people. I love them and enjoy being with them.” Then each morning I would read this statement day by day, week by week. It was baby steps that eventually changed my perspective.

I began to see myself more confident around people.

Like the snowball effect, I was able to take baby steps in meeting people and making friendships. Now it is a joke with my family that I never meet a stranger.

Over the years, as I have encountered many situations where I am less-than-confident, I’ve realized that I don’t have to face these situations on my own. God is with me, and He will help me.

Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. —Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

Decide to be confident, live confidently, and work confidently.Don’t be intimidated. Don’t live afraid and insecure. You are a child of God. He is striding ahead of you, and He is right there with you. He has given you His promises to help you deal wisely and experience success (see Joshua 1:8).