With Confidence—through God—all things are Possible

I am a huge fan of The Daily Muse on Facebook.  Most of my time spent on Facebook is actually scrolling through the Newsfeed finding worthy articles for reading.  Most of these articles are published by The Muse.  My dad once told me that taking the time for some professional and personal development each day is very healthy for personal and professional growth.  I don’t research articles every day. I don’t spend hours reading professional magazines.  Every so often I might log a few hours at a time digging deeper into this professional research.  But typically, my idea of personal development is taking a few minutes each day reading through these articles that are conveniently published right on my News Feed.

Today’s Daily Muse article that I stumbled across was titled “7 Tips for Building Unstoppable Confidence in Everything You Do.”  And this really hit me hard.  Without a second thought, I opened it right away (as I often do with most of these articles).  If you don’t know much about me, I would say that my biggest weakness is that I struggle with self-confidence.  I know that I have a lot to offer this world, and I know what I am worth.  But when it gets down to the wire, my lack of confidence, or my fear of failure, often sets me back; and I often shy away from things because I am afraid. I get angry at myself for feeling so weak, for being so soft.  And then it turns into this vicious cycle of self depreciation.  And, we all know that’s ridiculously unhealthy. 

We’ve all had discussions about our strengths and weaknesses, and we all have one thing in mind that we might want to change about ourselves.  For me, that one thing has always been more confidence.  I honestly believe that, in addition to my accomplishments thus far, I could have excelled in many more opportunities and experiences—and perhaps taken on different jobs or pursued multiple career paths—if I had more confidence.  

So, this Daily Muse article really hit home for me.  Not that these weren’t things I didn’t already know, but it’s always nice to read some gentle reminders on how to be our best selves—personally, academically, and professionally.   The 7 Tips outlined in this article for building confidence were as follows, and the full article can be found here.  I strongly urge you all to read it, as well as to follow The Muse.  

1.       Stop Comparing Yourself to others

2.       Remember that the loudest is not the most confident

3.       Keep your limiting beliefs at bay

4.       Live in a positive reality

5.       Don’t mask it

6.       Change what you can

7.       Be fully committed 

These 7 tips were lovely reminders on how to continue building my own confidence.  Some days I feel unstoppable, and others, I unfortunately feel like I have little to offer.  It happens to the best of us.  

But one major aspect I’d like to personally add to this notion of building one’s confidence is how important, in my opinion, it is to keep God in our lives. There are some people who feel extremely confident and do not regard the need for God.  Well, to each his own.  But for me, I know that none of my accomplishments could have happened without God on my side.  

I once wrote a post titled “Why I’ve decided to let go and let God.”  Ever since I started allowing God to take control of my life, I feel more at peace.  Stronger.  Confident. 

But, that confidence doesn’t come easy.  There are days when I have to dig so deep, days when I feel like I’ll never find it.  That is why I pray to God daily to guide me in my actions, and to help me to be confident in the talents I’ve been so blessed with.  However, just as God does not give us patience, nor does He give us confidence.  Rather, we have opportunities to do so.  And, just as the Daily Muse wrote that we will not become” positive, self-confidence people overnight,” nor will God give us that confidence overnight.  

Building one’s self confidence is a gradual process.  It takes a lot of personal effort, and allowing God to help us along the way wouldn’t hurt.  Do not allow the devils of despair keep your own confidence from growing. Rather, let us invite God in our lives.  Let us stop doubting, stop worrying; and, rather, let us allow ourselves to continually welcome God in our lives, asking Him for help in building our faith, hope and courage.  

And, only then, do I truly believe that we are on the journey for continually building self-confidence. Many people believe that with confidence all things are possible. Expanding on that, I say, with confidence—through God—all things are possible. 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus ~ Philippians 4:6-7

With God all things are possible ~Matthew19:26

~Elizabeth