By Daxx Bondoc
I have noticed that there are a lot of book about gaining self-confidence. There are also a lot of articles and talks on how to boost your self-esteem. If there are so many books, articles and talks on this topic, it means that there is a big market wanting such information. It also means that there are a lot of people who want to gain self-confidence.
Our society is plague with insecurity (which I personally blame advertising and the media) that self-confidence has become a precious commodity.
Self-confidence is a good thing. It helps one person to be positive and accomplish more. But I also believe it has limits.
Self-confidence is based on your “self.” It is based on what you have or what you can do. If you are honest with yourself, you know you have limits. You know that your self-confidence can only go so far. To go further is an illusion which many pop-psychologists preach these days.
There is something better than self-confidence. Jesus-confidence!
Jesus-confidence is better because our confidence is based on Jesus who is God. We all have limits but Jesus does not. When we put our trust on Jesus, we can move mountains. What is impossible for man is possible for God.
Having a Jesus-confidence also makes you more courageous. You know that you are being supported by Someone bigger than you. You know that God’s grace can accomplish anything, so you are not easily disheartened when you encounter a mountain on your way. You know Jesus can move the mountain or lift you up to fly cross it. It also makes you more courageous because you know that Jesus will catch you if you fall or make a mistake.
Having a Jesus-confidence is also better because He does NOT change and we humans do. Self-confidence is based on your personal state. It is dependent on a lot of factors, like your health for one. If those factors are taken away from you, could still be self-confident?
It is hard to put your confidence in shifting sands. Humans are such fragile beings. Our self-confidence may shatter with one disease or accident. Or even just plain old age. But Jesus is eternal. He is unchangeable. He is the Rock we can build our confidence on. Jesus can still make us great even if we are stripped of all our strengths. It will be His strength that will lift us up.
I leave you with a beautiful passage from St Paul.
“I CAN DO EVERYTHING through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13
Now THAT is confidence!
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