Confidence

Recently, when I think of my life, the word “confidence” comes to mind. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “the state of feeling sure; assurance; boldness.” What am I sure of, you ask? The answer is in a verse that has repeatedly come to my attention in the past couple weeks:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

We’ve heard it before, many times – just about every Christian has it memorized. But if we really believe it, it ought to produce complete assurance, reckless boldness! God is perfectly good, absolutely faithful, and totally in control. We should welcome trials just to see what God will do through them. It should be exciting to walk by faith!

I've seen God use my mistakes and struggles time and time again to grow me closer to Him, but only when I stop trying to do it on my own can I see that He knew exactly what He was doing all along. The key to seeing things work together for good is to love God and depend on Him – not wallow in self-focused misery over my failures, but go to my loving Father for help, expecting Him to act. And the more I see Him work, the more confident I become that He will work again, and again, and again . . .