Steadfast In Sacrifice (Part 2): Covered In Confidence
stake your claim
“What you see is what you get”.
Because we put our best foot forward in life, we’d consider it a compliment if somebody were to say that about us. But the truth is, we also know that who we are on the outside doesn’t always match the person on the inside. While we all face this internal-external struggle at some point in life, I can honestly say that my first memorable experience with this battle came at a young age.
When I was 9-years old, I got really into playing football. Noticing my interest, my dad decided he wanted to coach my football team. Which was great, minus the fact that the only head-coaching position available was at my rival school. In spite of the tension this created with the friends I went to school with, I couldn’t pass up playing for my dad.
Saturdays were fun because we were winning a lot of games. But it was the Fridays before game-day that left me feeling like a loser. Friday was when every kid wore their jersey to school, and in the sea of black-colored Hawk jerseys, I was “that guy” in the green-colored Bear jersey. Even though I was on the winning team, I couldn’t stand not fitting in.
Being the great encourager she is, my mom tried to convince me that I wasn’t out of the loop. That somehow the jabs from the guys at school meant something else entirely. But try as she might, it was a tough sell…
On the outside, my green jersey represented winning & confidence. But inside, I was even greener with envy as I struggled to deal with a lack of acceptance. This was my first real dose of the fear of rejection. And fear, as it does in any form, was—
Crushing all confidence.
Confidence doesn’t come automatically, it’s something you have to claim. And in order to claim confidence, you have to forfeit your fears—daily. The problem is, many of us have adapted into high-functioning fear-aholics. Instead of dealing with our fears, we’ve just gotten used to its parasitic presence in our life. Thankfully, God provides the perfect avenue for sacrificing our fears. Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG) says this:
“Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.”
When you bring your fears to God, He turns them into fuel.
God takes what was meant to bury you, and lights a fuse of confidence that can carry you. Walking in confidence doesn’t mean you never experience fear, it means you don’t hold on to it. You don’t allow fear to take up residence in your heart & mind. When the bondage of fear is lifted, you become emboldened by God. You just have to stake your claim.
the claim of confidence.
strength
“God wants us to be bold, loving & sensible with His gifts.” (2 Timothy 1:7 MSG)
When God gives to you, it’s for the purpose of stewardship. As children of God, He’s given each of us a number of gifts to share with the world around us. But reflecting the light of God into a dark world requires an immense amount of strength.
Confidence is so important because confidence ultimately comes from a position of strength. And when you’re operating from a place of Godly strength, you become—
unstoppable in your mission.
Opposition
Just as there’s a purpose (stewardship) behind what God gives, there’s also a purpose for the fear that the world offers. The purpose of that fear is to steal from you. Nobody can take God’s gifts from you, but your confidence is up for grabs—because your confidence is a choice. When you don’t take your fears to God, your fears will eventually take your confidence away. Ultimately—
Fear takes away your effectiveness.
When we’re like God, we’re strong. But that also means we’re opposed. Which is why we’re instructed to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV) in everyday living. A number of these protective pieces are described in the book of Ephesians, each represented symbolically as a protective covering from head-to-toe. Like the shield of faith or the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God), etc.
The covering of these protections ensures that you’ll“be able to stand up to everything the devil throws your way” (Ephesians 6:16 NIV). When you stake your claim, you draw a line in the sand—you draw opposition. Whether that opposition comes in the form of insecurity, fear, or the devil himself, remain confident.
God has you protected.
Covered in confidence
From the beginning, the very moment that sin entered our world, we became “exposed”. The stain of sin covered us in humiliation, shame, and fear. Spiritually separated from God, we were stripped of any & all confidence in life. But “something” existed then, which still exists for us today. That something is—
a choice.
You get to choose what you’re covered by. Instead of being wrapped in sin & fear, you can accept something else entirely. Romans 8:1 (NIV) tell us:
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
God’s presence in your life means you’re covered by His perfect love. And “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18 NIV). You can choose a life that’s wrapped in hope, faith, and love. A life that’s covered in confidence. You can choose a life that’s covered—
In Christ.
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today’s Takeaways
Fear takes away your effectiveness.
“God wants us to be bold, loving & sensible with His gifts.” (2 Timothy 1:7 )
Perfect love is found in the covering of Christ.