A Confidence Boost

Confidence is something I've had trouble with for quite some time now. The first rememberance of lack of confidence that I can remember was probably back into 6th grade. I remember feeling unwanted and left out with the friends at school. Usually when I'm rejected I look to myself and wonder what is wrong with me that others don't want to be my friend.

I think when we lose our confidence in ourselves we begin to do things that are safe and we stay within our comfort zone so we don't look silly or make mistakes. I know for me it is hard enough to feel confident even in my comfort zone. I get so caught up with how I look sometimes and I compare myself to everyone I see. I never feel good enough and I always feel like I have to improve myself to fit in.

Another thing that impacts my confidence is friends. When I don't feel loved or cared for my confidence level drops way down. I wonder why I don't have friends and I think that I must be weird and unattractive since I don't have friends there for me. It is in these times where I feel so low and upset with myself. Also, when I feel neglected and cast aside- that makes me feel unqualified and replaceable. Confidence for me usually is impacted with how I feel about my outer appearance mostly. I know that is a bad thing to base confidence off of, but that is what mine is normally based on.

When we feel like we are unqualified, useless, ugly, stupid, unwanted......we lose our confidence and we often need love or a compliment to bring us back up again. Just one compliment can help bring us back up again and re-assure us of ourselves and that we are valued, appreciated and loved for who we are. Often I am afraid to show the real me since most people don't usually take the time to see who I really am. Confidence hinders us from doing a lot of things that we could succeed at and accomplish. We may never know what we can do until we step out of our comfort zone. God reassures us that we can do anything when we rely on Him and use His strength and not just our own.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

Many times we think more of what others will think of us than what God will think of us. Whose opinion will matter more in the long run? a friend on facebook or the God of the Universe? Sometimes my priorities get off focused and I get so caught up with what others think of me. I get scared to step out for God because I am afraid of what someone else's reaction might be. Do I have enough confidence in God to step out for Him and do what He has called me to do? or am I too afraid to rely on Him?

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” 

Hebrews 13:6

God will give us the confidence we need when we feel afraid, upset, lonely or fearful. This world gives us doubt where God gives us everlasting hope. When we give God pain, He gives us passionate love. When we give God fear, He gives us confidence. God has been there with you through every part of your life. Sometimes what helps me get through the fear of the future and circumstances is looking to what God has done in my past. I can see how He has worked and what He has done to help me through and it gives me the confidence I need to keep going and be brave. Yes, there sure are times where I don't step out and I lean back into my comfort zone, but asking God to help me through and give me the strength is what has helped me overcome some of the fears I thought I never could attain. God loves you so much and He thinks you are an amazing person- He created you! He is always there for you to go to when you need a friend- so if you feel left out and alone, God is your friend and He loves you more than anyone else ever will. His love for you is so great and powerful we can't even grasp it. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

So if you feel like you are needing some confidence boosting- ask for God to give you the confidence to overcome your fears and give you the confidence within yourself to accept who you are and step out for Him. And also, maybe you can be someone else's confidence booster today as well. Give someone a compliment or step out and do something special or out of the ordinary!