How Jesus gives us confidence
There’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Arrogance is rooted in an unhealthy, unholy need to be superior in relationship to other people. Confidence, on the other hand, is rooted in a healthy and positive understanding of who God made us to be and who we are becoming in Christ.
But we all, to one degree or another, struggle with confidence. Our sense of self is off. Our self-image is broken for a lot of reasons. Because of this, we feel worthy of praise we’re unworthy of, and unworthy of love that God has declared us worthy of.
In the story of the woman who snuck through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she comes trembling. Afraid. Hoping to sneak up to him and sneak away without being noticed. She feels tremendous shame and unworthiness of his look, his love, his touch.
When she’d managed to execute the first part of her plan—sneaking in to touch Jesus from a distance—Jesus ruined her plan to escape.
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ~ Luke 8:47 NIV
At this point in the story, she’s bracing herself. He’s noticed her, and then Jesus does what is every introvert’s worst nightmare. He calls attention to her in front of the entire crowd.
She’s probably bracing for the shaming. The scolding. The embarrassment. He’s probably going to put her down for being a woman, for being untouchable, for being so brash. But instead…
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” ~ Luke 8:48 NIV
Daughter… a sign of affection. Of honor. Of intimacy and kinship.
Your faith has healed you… she had more confidence on the inside than even she was aware of, and Jesus called attention to it and affirmed it.
Go in peace… her life would be forever changed by this moment. Peace and confidence are close cousins. Until we know who we are (or better yet, whose we are), we wander in search of confidence and peace. When we find ourselves, and we find out who made us and how much he loves us, we also find peace.
If you don’t know Jesus, come to him today. Find yourself in a relationship with him and you’ll know peace with God, peace with yourself and peace with your world.
There are plenty of counterfeit sources of false confidence, but connecting with your Creator and his purposes for you is where real confidence and peace come from.
Photo source: istock
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