CONFIDENCE Because of education, health, money, and environment, many lack confidence in themselves and in others, as well.  Many live life as if they are handicapped.  These are those who feel devalued either by self or others.  These often have not had a strong influence in their lives to give them a sense of purpose, power, and direction. Many are jiving and psyching themselves and pretending they are confident.  Some have big bumper stickers that say, “No Fear.”  After all, that is what they see their worldly peer group doing.  Many go through their whole lives choosing to game play rather than facing up to the fact that they lack confidence.  These often conclude that it would just hurt too much to face up to the fact that they are not what they know they could be or should be.   Satan torments these souls as he  devalues them and plays with them.  They feel like they are in the majority, and     Christians are a minority; therefore, their ways in this world have to be right, and Christians have to be wrong.  They conclude that “everybody else is doing things their way,” and that has to be the way to go. To try to gain confidence, they   conclude you have to try some things—reckless driving, drugs, sex, money, power, the biggest this or the best that.  These folks are on this endless treadmill, and Satan is laughing as he dangles them hopelessly with devalued and purposeless lives. These self-destructive ones often think of themselves as too smart to come to the Christ of the Bible.   Many, sadly, are turned off to a Christianity they see as hypocritical and superficial.   Righteousness helps make one confident, even bold in their life Christians have a support system with God as their ultimate backer.  With this support Christians commune with God in prayer and express faith by asking God to help them regarding their needs (1 Jn. 5:14).  We are not worms.  We approach God with courage and boldness with our petitions (Heb. 4:16).  Christians know that their awareness or fear of God’ s presence give them confidence (Prov. 14:26).  We know He is there for us and wants to and can help us.  Christians know God is constantly WITH THEM (Ps. 23:4).  This in itself takes away fears and phobias that this world wants us to be enslaved with.  The Gospel is the Power that motivates and keeps the Christian going in good times and in bad times (Ro. 1:16).  God pronounces his people as more than conquerors regardless of what this world may throw at them  (Rom. 8:35-39).  The confidence of the Christian is the life experience in knowing that, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Rom. 8:31).   There will be times when Christians may have to stand alone against some enemy.  Again, we draw strength from God and His track record as we reflect upon His involvement with David and his Goliath.   We, also, are invited by God to choose to be strong and function in the power of His might (Eph. 6:13). Christianity and one’s relationship with Christ are not to be a hot and cold thing.  Our Christianity is to be ongoing, growing, and maturing.  Christians who abide (dwell, live) in Christ are to experience a life of confidence (1 Jn. 2:28).  Christ is very relevant and much needed by all of us in our world today and in every age.  Christian confidence is certainly expressed in the bold statement of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Christ Himself is the basis for the confidence the Christian can possess.  God’s eternal purpose is fulfilled when we experience boldness and access Him with confidence through faith in Christ (Eph. 3:11, 12).  The Lord gives me my life, He gives me hope, He gives me confidence and in case I didn’t get the message He says He wants to be my Helper (Heb. 13:6).  Now, that does boost my confidence knowing who is backing me.  Without the backing of God in the past, I have been filled with fears, doubts, and uncertainties.  I know that it is not God who gave me those feelings but rather the devil.  God gives me his power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).  The gospel of Christ gives us power, the Holy Spirit, and much  assurance (1 Thess. 1:5-6).   Paul expresses confidence and boldness being IN Christ.  Before he will die, Paul will profess his confidence in his relationship with Christ knowing that the Lord stood with him (2 Tim. 4:16-18).  Paul refuses to be intimidated or ashamed of the Gospel but rather will express confidence and boldness in his character.  Paul lives his life without any shame or embarrassment.  Boldness truly can be evidenced in his character as it is evident that he knows Jesus and is very close to Him (Phil. 1:20).  Confidence breeds confidence.  Paul in chains conducts himself with stamina and dignity; and because of this, the church is emboldened (Phil. 1:14).  Paul encourages Timothy to open his mouth and speak boldly the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19-20).  Boldness, assertiveness, assurance and confidence are all tied together to make one strong IN the Lord. In conclusion please observe we are not talking psychology or positive thinking.  We are talking of a real God who really cares and wants to help us by being involved in our lives.  That is the backing and the confidence we need.  Praise be unto our God that is just what He gives us.