The power of confidence is quite entrancing. These days, many motivational speakers and authors develop ways to develop confidence. But, what if you were to place your confidence in someone much bigger than you. That’s going to be the topic of this post as we learn where to put our confidence in, and as to how that should connect to our mental health. Continue reading to find out more.
Toxic Confidence
First of all, it is absolutely necessary to know that overconfidence can be extremely toxic. And by extremely toxic, I mean that it can come to the point of being disastrous to one’s relationships, leadership, spiritual life, and mental health. How?
Well, if you’re confident in yourself and start stroking your ego, people will find you displeasing to work or live with. No one likes someone who is confident in none other than themselves.
Proverbs 16:18 King James Version (KJV)
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Another thing with overconfidence or confidence not used properly is that sometimes the truth is that it cannot solve all problems. And confidence can get you nowhere as long as you are repeating motivational mantras and recalling the last five seconds of an inspirational YouTube video.
Confidence in yourself cannot deal with overcoming sickness, it cannot deal with your character, and there’s a list of other things which it cannot do. Confidence in yourself cannot deal with the things outside of your control.
Isaiah 40:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
And this thought can be very, very sobering. However, do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not saying that you should hate yourself or that you are completely incapable of doing anything worth doing.
I am only emphasizing on the scary delusions which people download into their mindsets when reading motivational books, watching motivational videos, or attending motivational seminars dealing with confidence. One thing I’ve noticed from all of this, is that people entertain themselves with all these things and nothing meaningful ever changes in their lives!
Proverbs 16:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
Sadly, if you are one of those who idolize confidence, motivational speakers, and self-help books, I promise you that one day, you’ll realize that it was all meaningless. So, I want to save you the time, with this post.
Confidence in Jesus Christ
Furthermore, confidence relies upon a decision. If you put your confidence entirely and solely upon yourself or another individual, your life depends on the capabilities of that person.
Proverbs 23:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
And you, as a human, cannot escape the weaknesses, limited resources, disadvantages, and blind spots infused into your being, no matter how hard or valiant the effort.
But, there is a being who is superior to you in character, resourcefulness, advantage, wisdom, and almost every other comparable trait. Even more, this being cares about you, and wants to be part of your life.
The being I’m talking about is the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. He is the God who came down to Earth in the form of a human being to die on the cross so that you would not receive the punishment for your failures. And three days later, He rose again to declare you as a new creation once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
2 Corinthians 5:17 World English Bible (WEB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
If you limit yourself to you, there is a cap on the possibilities of where your life’s headed. However, when you limit yourself to God, there is no limits as to where He can direct you. That is why, my proposition is to invest your confidence into God so that you are guaranteed to reap a blessed life.
Proverbs 16:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Beyond Your Control but in His Jurisdiction
Therefore, put your confidence in Christ Jesus. I have seen lives changed because they made this decision. In fact, my life has changed due to this decision. And there have been times where God intervened in my life for my own good.
The thing is that confidence in yourself can only do so much. But it definitely cannot change things like sickness, financial opportunities, or any other factor out of your control. On the other hand, confidence in God does make it possible for Him to change any factor in your life. It does not matter how far away that factor is from grasp of your influence.
2 Corinthians 12:9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Paul the Apostle penned the Holy-Spirit inspired scripture, above. He said that he’d take pride in His weaknesses so that God would answer his weaknesses with God’s unlimited capability. And Paul’s mission was to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amazingly, God did give Paul the strength to spread the gospel, and even now, 2000 years after Paul’s death, God’s words penned through Paul’s hands continue to transform the hearts of people around the world.
Proverbs 14:26 King James Version (KJV)
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Read the above proverb. It says that when you fear the Lord, and that means to respect and acknowledge Him, your children (if you have any) will be safe. Again, whether your children are safe or not is out of your control and no amount of self-confidence can change that, but, confidence in God’s faithfulness will ensure the safety of your children.
In conclusion, be confident, but be confident in God who has made you a new creation. Be confident in that His finished work on the cross saved you. And be confident in His promises such as protection, wisdom, prosperity, health, along with more.
James 4:10 World English Bible (WEB)
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
