Living with Confidence

By Pastor Timothy Neptune

I remember when I was about 9 years I took swimming lessons at Shawnee Lake Park in Spencer, Ohio. I loved water and learning to swim but there was one thing that scared me to death—diving head first into water.  I still hate to do it to this day.

I remember standing on that diving board, chin tucked to my chest and hands above my head, staring at that water, completely unable to move.  The others kids in the class, my instructors and the crowd of parents gathered were all encouraging me and telling me that I could it, but I didn’t have the confidence to jump.

Lack of confidence holds us back from doing and experiencing many wonderful things in life.

I believe that many people have great dreams but they lack the confidence to step out in faith and
“dive in head first.”  I love what the writer of Proverbs said…

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your
confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26

Here are four thoughts that will help you build confidence and live life to the fullest.

The first step is to simply be yourself.  That seems obvious but it’s rare because most people are busy trying to be somebody they’re not.  Have you noticed how young people want to look older and old people want to look younger?

Very few people accept themselves. Insecurity is when you try to be somebody that you’re not.  Even Christians get into this.  The Scriptures tell us,

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)

Honestly recognize your strengths and your weaknesses, and then play to your strengths. Focus on your potential, not your limitations.

The second step is to stop comparing yourself to others. Don’t judge yourself by other people.  It’s
difficult to avoid in this in our competitive society.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that comparing yourself with others is ignorant.

There are few habits as destructive to your confidence as comparing. You are unique!  Comparisons are irrelevant. We’re all different.

The third step in building your confidence is to choose the right friends. Your confidence is heavily
influenced by relationships, so you need to select your relationships very carefully.

Parents tell their kids that all the time.  Birds of a feather flock together.  You’ve got to select your friends wisely. They have a big influence on your life.

The final step is to simply trust God.  The Bible says, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7

What is the source of your confidence?  Some people are trusting in their career.  Some are trusting in their bank account.  Some are trusting in their good looks.  Some are trusting in their spouse.

All those things are good… but there’s one problem.  Every one of those things can be taken away from you. And then what are you going to do?

To have true confidence, you must put your confidence in something that can never be taken from you: your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  It can never be taken away.

Today, it’s time to jump in… HEADFIRST.  Perhaps you have been investigating the Christian life…it time to jump in. Don’t let fear hold you back from being who God has called you to be!

Tim Neptune is the Lead Pastor of Venture Church Naples, a new church plant in East Naples. For service times and locations,  go to www.venturenaples.com or call  (239) 775-5323.