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Hello friends!
I did a whole series on FB Live about Christ confidence. If you would like to go check them out here is the LINK to WATCH
This subject Christ confidence is one I feel like a lot of women need encouragement with, especially since the world gives us messages like how we look on the outside is the only way to have confidence, how we dress is the only way to have confidence, and how much money we have is the way to confidence.
Walking confidently in Christ is so different. The confidence we can walk in only comes from Jesus Christ. Let me tell you my story of confidence.
My perspective is from a christian perspective. I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior who then supplies me with every possible need and all the confidence needed to walk in this world. Now that said, we don't always receive the confidence or believe who we are in Christ. Why? Because we listen to the voices in our lives who contradict His Word or ignore God and listen to the world's voice. Which is louder in your life right now?
I have been there! Growing up I was called names like "Olive Oil" (if you dont remember the cartoon Popeye) and something like a silly name will stick with you until adulthood. So you can imagine my confidence was a little low during the high school years. I worked hard to overcome my shy, introverted self by putting myself out there, like being in the high school pageant my Junior year of high school. It was something that scared me to death but I seemed to always want the very things that scare me the most. I was shy even though to the outside world thought I was not. I was a cheerleader and a band member all of which I worked so hard to be apart of because I was not the best. So you can imagine I was scared to death to walk across a stage without feeling like I needed to throw up and my heart beating out of my chest. Why did I want to do this?
I researched entering a pageant and bought the perfect dress. I asked my friends who had competed and got all the advise needed to practice, practice and practice.
I ended up winning the high school pageant. I was confident but I was a beleiver not walking in the right confidence of God's Word and Truth.
Fast forward to me a married woman, I was in unknown territory with marriage and small children. My husband after a few years of marriage surrendered to God's call to full time ministry. We were active in our church but when he told me I was in shock. This isn't who I married, a pastor. I was shy, remember? I didn't want to talk to people about God's love much less be seen at this point in my life. I had small children and I was just trying to survive as a working mom outside of the home and figure this whole raising kids thing out. Now I had to do it in a glass house with people watching me because of a title I didn't even ask for, pastor's wife.
So God was working and calling us both but I rebelled as you probably can imagine. You can read my POST HERE if you are interested in my rebellious heart.
Confidence came when my relationship with Jesus Christ was nurtured and I was believing who He says I am. I stopped listening to the voices of this world. Friend, we must let God's voice be louder than this world. Walking in Christ confidence will come when our hearts are tethered to Jesus Christ. He looks at our heart not the outward appearance.
1 Samuel 16:7
..... For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
Now after my third child I entered the Mrs.Tennessee America pageant. It was a way to get back into shape after having a baby and something I thought I could use as a platform to speak about my faith and marriage. I won. The first ever entry and I won. The thing is I still had no confidence to speak about my faith because I was still not intimate enough with Jesus and walking confidently in Him. Like winning a contest will give you the ability to speak confidently about anything. I could speak but it was with doubt and fear not with boldness of the Spirit. I was still rebellious and not listening to His voice. I was selfish and going through the motions of being a Christ Follower on the outside but on the inside I was lost in sin.
It took a long time for me to turn myself around. To realize that God isn't taking me out of ministry because it was uncomfortable so I need to get on board with Him. You see God never stopped pursuing me all those years. It wasn't until my teen son was out of our control and we as parents couldn't do anything but hit the floor in prayer to call out to our God for His mighty work in our lives and our sons life. God had stripped me of any control I thought I had. It was then that my heart was drawn back to my loving Father and began seeking Him fervently. I was so hungry for God's Word and was ashamed that I had been so selfish trying to be confident in my marriage and family without allowing Him to lead me.
The scriptures tell us we are loved with unconditional love, never ending. He is gracious, merciful and slow to anger. I am thankful for because there isn't anywhere else we should be seeking love besides our spouse. I learned that God calls us His beloved, chosen and redeemed daughter of the King. We already have a crown from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as His child we have a crown on our heads to walk confidently in Christ. Jesus Christ equips us for kingdom work for His glory and gives us boldness. This is walking in Christ Confidence. I have received a boldness and strength because I surrendered my life and stopped walking in bondage to the outside worlds views of me.
I pray this helps you seek His face and receive the boldness, strength and power to share the gospel with those around you too. Amen
Walk in Christ Confidence my friends!
trAcy
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