"In truth, God is the only one in whom we can place our full trust. He is the only one without fault or failing." Kathy Spampinato

Having confidence is defined as belief in oneself and one’s abilities: certitude, self-reliance, and assurance. At times we are filled with self-confidence, and can boldly maneuver through life. However, at other times we are filled with doubt, anxiety and low self-esteem. We can be acutely aware that we are not prepared or capable. We are conscious of our frailties and failings. Our self-awareness tells us that we do not have the skills needed.

A secondary definition of confidence refers to our confidence in others: full trust and belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing: dependence, reliance, and faith. We trust the equipment we are using, or the friend who is helping. We have faith in the abilities of others, and in God. In truth, God is the only one in whom we can place our full trust. He is the only one without fault or failing. He is the only one who will never disappoint us. He is also the one who will build our self-confidence when we decide to fully trust Him. We can even trust Him to use us to help and build up others.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ESV “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

It is God himself that makes us competent to help someone else. When we rely on Him, and His love, we realize that our righteousness amounts to filthy rags, but we can rely on God. His Holy Spirit will lead and guide us. We can speak boldly because our confidence is not in our own abilities, but in His love. These verses from 2 Corinthians bring insight and understanding. When we are lacking the confidence to speak to others about our faith experience, the Bible directs us to trust in the all-powerful God who loves us. He has made us sufficient to minister.

Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We can boldly go to God for the things we lack and the direction we need. We have free access to the unmerited favor of God at the throne of grace. It is not something we earn or are owed, but a gift given. We have access because of the sacrifice of Jesus. We have only to claim His salvation through faith.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 4: 12-13 “…for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”

A full reliance on the love and grace of God allows us to put our confidence in the God who saves, heals, and redeems. It is He who will work in us and through us, until we reach the fullness of who we are in Him. We become fully ourselves, when we rely fully on Him.