Regaining Lost Confidence

While working at a company in Kalimantan, I received a female guest who has left an impression on me to this day. When we first met, I was a little surprised to see her face covered with acne scars. Yet throughout our conversation, this woman spoke gracefully and elegantly. Her head was held high and her posture was full of confidence.

After that meeting, I reflected. It turns out that strong self-confidence makes a person look attractive, especially when it is accompanied by a manner of speaking full of conviction. From there I learned that confidence is a beauty from within, one that can cover shortcomings that are visible on the outside.

Are you someone who lacks confidence? Perhaps because of financial factors, educational background, work, social status, or your past. Maybe you feel inferior about your physical appearance. Whatever it is, a lack of confidence will hinder you in many things.

So, how can we regain confidence according to the word of God?

The Happiest Person

Perhaps, by the world's standards, happy people are those who have abundant wealth and brilliant success. Those who are able to travel abroad and have a beautiful or handsome life partner. Meanwhile, people who live simply, can only vacation within the city, have no partner, and are not good-looking, will not be happy. Is that really true?

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the person who trusts in You! – Psalm 84:12 

The psalmist says that happy people are those who trust in God. What does that mean?

Try to imagine this situation: You are the happiest person because everything others desire in life is already in your hands. Suddenly, one day you become poor. Or, you suffer a serious accident that leaves you no longer handsome or beautiful. Will you still be happy? 

It may be that your confidence, which you have had all this time, vanishes at once. The people you love may begin to leave you one by one. Over time, you become insecure because of the changes in your life.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. – Proverbs 11:28

Placing your confidence in worldly things makes you constantly anxious: “What if I lose all of it?” You are afraid that you will no longer be loved and accepted if your condition changes. In other words, that kind of confidence is not the true kind.

Then, what should true confidence look like?

Confidence Because of Heavenly Things

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. – Isaiah 12:2 

When people who rely on the Lord experience a fall, they will not be crushed. This is because they do not place their confidence in things of the world or in things that are temporary. 

If your confidence comes from God, you will not be destroyed when you lose the precious things you have. For example, your job, family, spouse, wealth, or popularity. Even if everything is lost, you can still trust and not be afraid, because the Lord is your strength and salvation. The Lord is the source of your confidence.

The following Bible figures can be an inspiration:

• Moses

But Moses said to God: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” – Exodus 3:11 

Moses, the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter who was initially full of confidence, killed an Egyptian who was mistreating his fellow people. As a result, he became a man who lacked confidence because Pharaoh wanted to hunt him down (Exodus 2:11-15).

At the age of 40 (Acts 7:22-24), Moses spent the next 40 years in the wilderness of Midian as a shepherd (Acts 7:30). Until finally, God appeared to Moses through a fire blazing in a bush (Exodus 3:2).

What made Moses lack confidence even though God was the One who sent him? First, bitter experiences and failure. When he intended to help his own people, instead he was rejected (Exodus 2:14). Second, because Moses was too focused on seeing his own shortcomings or weaknesses.

But Moses said to the LORD: “Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” – Exodus 4:10 

Do bitter experiences, the past, or your shortcomings make you lose confidence? What benefit do you gain by continuing to hold on to those things? If Moses had been confident from the beginning, not in his own strength, but by seeking guidance from God, surely he would not have had to spend 40 years in the wilderness tending his father-in-law’s livestock!

Perhaps, if you had been confident from long ago, you would be much further ahead now! You would work more effectively and be able to bring out the very best in yourself!

For God has given us not a spirit of fear, but a spirit that stirs up power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7

• Peter and John

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were ordinary, uneducated men, they were amazed; and they recognized them as followers of Jesus. – Acts 4:13 

Peter and John were called to be disciples of Jesus while they were working, casting nets on the lake (Matthew 4:18-20). Yes, they were fishermen!

In Acts 4, they were no longer working as fishermen. Peter even preached at the Pentecost celebration, which later became known as “Peter’s sermon” (Acts 2:14-40). He could also heal the sick (Acts 3:1-10).

When Peter and John were arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, those who heard their defense were astonished to see the change in them. Peter and John spoke full of the Holy Spirit.

Do you lack confidence because you do not have an advanced degree or because your job seems less promising? Do you feel inferior because your physical appearance is lacking or because you have many shortcomings here and there? Hey, do not be afraid! In the Lord, you can gain confidence, without having to meet the standards set by the world.

The Lord can turn your weakness into strength. He can reverse misfortune into success, tragedy into joy, and failure into success! So, learn to place your confidence in the Lord!

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Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official:

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