Confidence is something that is needed to live a well-balanced life. When we walk in confidence, everything else falls into place. We show God we are pleased with Him because it shows we accept how He made us. We become a person other people want to be around. No one like to be with a gloomy gus right? When we don't like who we are are, we make God sad, because in a way we are putting him down.
During my 1st 2 years of high school my parents were really concerned about me. I didn't have any interaction with people my age, outside of school, besides youth group and my only friends were adults. I didn't feel comfortable being with people my age. I am still that way today even as an adult though is not much of an issue now that I am out of my teen years. I remember one time when I was getting ready to meet with one of my adult friends and my mom softly said "Why can't you hang out with people your own age?" It was the ONLY time to she said that.
Come my Junior and Senior year, my parents finally came around to realize I was happy with the way things were and was not going to be one of those teens that goes out with her friends every weekend. They learned I was more comfortable that way and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. My parents learned to accept the adult friends I had and realized the joy they gave me. They realized they were good people who cared about me and would never hurt me. As I said this whole thing is no longer even an issue since I am no longer a teenager. A few weekends ago, I went out with 2 of my friends who have Turner Syndrome just like me. We went to the mall and spent the afternoon together. A few days later when my family sat down for dinner my mom commented how good it made her feel to see me hang out with my friends and that it made her happy to see me be just like any other 20 yr old gal.
Right now I am the only one my age at church but it doesn't affect me at all. Several people at church have come to me and told me how good it is to see me there and how refreshing it is to see someone my age still committed to going to church every Sunday. That makes me really good. My Sunday School class has given me such encouragement and helps me believe in myself. They build my confidence and are always there for me. They accept me and see me as a person with abilities and not disabilities. They have never left me out and have always made me feel included and wanted. They are wonderful towards me.
Why am I telling you this? To help build our confidence we first need to accept our circumstances and surround ourselves with people who build us up and not tear us down. We need to let down our guard and let people help us when we need help. I know this from personal experience that when you shut people out, you hurt the people who love you the most and WANT to help, and that only leads to unneeded heartache.
Confidence comes from God and becoming aware of who we are in Him. We need to have a healthy balance of humility and confidence, knowing we are where we are because of Christ. We can boast only in God and what He did in and through us. This is where true confidence lies- our knowledge of God and who His, and what we are in Him! What area of your life do you need confidence today?
