God-Confident

Pastor Scott,

“I’m not a very confident person. I seem to need to be constantly affirmed by others. I want to be at rest with who I am in Christ. . . What can I do?

The very essence of man's sinful nature is pride, which either reveals itself outwardly, as we exalt ourselves, or inwardly, as we struggle with insecurity. Perhaps we have managed to mask these traits, but with Christ's forgiveness and acceptance, we no longer need to be addicted to the opiate of others’ admiration.

Jesus affirms sinners who know they need God, but He reserves His strongest rebukes for religious elites who do their righteous deeds for the accolades of others--“to be seen of men” (Matt 6:5). “What” they do is good, but “why” they do it is where the problem lies, for it reveals a selfish, self-centered heart. Trouble always follows when what others think matters more to us than what God thinks.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.” The “fear of man” stands opposed to “the fear of God.” It describes a life motivated by the views and values of others, rather than the views and values of God. Freedom comes when we learn to dance beneath the watchful approval of God.

Do you know how much He loves you, and how much He favors those in Christ? God did not call you to be His servant only, but also His friend (John 15:15). Romans 8:32 says, “Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?” Ephesians 1:5-6 affirms that you are his child and has freely given you His favor, making you “accepted” in Christ.

If then, we are loved, accepted, and approved by our Lord, we no longer need to be driven to pursue man's approval. We find our worth in God's love for us and in Christ's sacrifice--dying so that we might be forgiven and be with Him forever.

Here is an assignment to help you grow, not in self-confidence, but in Christ-confidence. The next time someone else gets credit for something you did, say nothing. Smile inside, and let your heart rejoice in your Heavenly Father's approving gaze.

--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)