Tag: confidence

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Confidence

It seems like so many people have a word for the year. One word to summarize what they want to focus on as they go through the next twelve months.

I’ve done that in the past, but I haven’t for the last several years. Lately, though, I’ve been sensing that the Lord wants me to practice having confidence this year.

That’s scary! It’s much easier to move through life in uncertainty, letting other people and life’s situations determine what I do and how I feel. Choosing confidence will more than likely put me in some situations that are out of my comfort zone. Choosing confidence might mean I have to disappoint someone if I confidently turn down their request. Choosing confidence feels like I’ll have to throw away all my excuses for why I haven’t accomplished certain goals.

I’m tempted to list those goals here, but I’m not going to do that. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you can probably think of a few things I’ve mentioned over the years. (Years!) No, I’m going to make my own list and prayerfully think about next steps for each of those goals.

Maybe you have something you’ve been avoiding because you lack the confidence to tackle it. I encourage you (and me) to move ahead with courage.

The Lord is with us, and he’ll help us accomplish whatever he’s called us to do. We can be confident as we go through each day, knowing he’ll never leave us alone. Jesus also sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. Drawing on the Spirit’s power can fill us with humble confidence.

Like it or not, my word for the year is confidence.* Do you pick a word for the year? Let me know in the comments.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

Do you have a word for the year? How can focusing on God help you move through the year ahead with intention, whatever your word may be?

*To help me grow in this area, I’ve been reading the excellent book Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity by Amanda Pittman. I’ll let you know what I’ve learned in a future blog post.

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus On Wanting to Be Liked

Back in 1984, Sally Field won an academy award. She joyously ended her acceptance speech with, “You like me! Right now! You like me!” (Often misquoted since then as “You like me! You really, really like me!” but that’s close enough. Scroll down to see the original speech.)

I can sure relate to Sally.

I’ve been noticing a strange desire to ask for reassurance that people like me as I’ve been sitting in various situations the last few months. Our women’s group, Sunday school class, fellowship time at church, family gatherings, and online zoom meetings. The setting doesn’t matter, but the feeling is often there.

I fight back the urge to ask, “Am I doing okay? Do you like me? (Do you really, really like me?)”

I imagine most people have those feelings to some degree as they go through life. We just don’t voice that insecurity because we’re afraid it will clue everyone in to how fragile we actually are. Ironically, we think that if we show our vulnerability, people won’t like us.

Finding that balance between strength and vulnerability may help us feel more sure of ourselves in the long run.

Sometimes we need to act brave in spite of the fears raging inside us.

Sometimes we need to be vulnerable and share our fears with a trusted friend or family member.

Most of all, we need to remember that our worth doesn’t come from what people here on earth think of us. We are valuable because God loves us—in our brave moments, our vulnerable moments, and every moment in between.

He loves us. He really, really loves us! And that can give us all the reassurance we need.

Knowing God loves us might even help us remember to offer encouragement to someone else. “I like you! I really, really like you!”

We all need to hear that once in a while.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1 NIV)

Do you crave affirmation from others? How can focusing on God help you to feel more secure because you know he loves you?