The necessity of a “can-do attitude” is central to the advice of the $50 billion a year self-help industry. This advice has also taken root in the cancer support community. Now, can-do attitude and confidence can be very helpful … but with one huge qualifier. The strongest confidence and a lasting can-do attitude comes from Jesus. I believe we can identify 3 types of confidence – self-confidence; no confidence; and God-confidence. Let’s explore how they play off each other.
1) Self-confidence – Jesus punctured our self-confident balloons when He said, “You can do nothing apart from Me” (John 15:5). I found this so true during my Stage IV cancer battle. When seriously tested, I found I was neither strong nor confident. No can-do. Sure, I put up a fight, for a while. But it wasn’t long before I found total powerlessness, particularly after doctors gave up, saying “You have days to live.” When we come to the end of self-confidence, we are positioned for a breakthrough in God-confidence. Yet there is a land mine along the road from self-confidence to God-confidence — no confidence.
2) No confidence – King David walked through the valley of the shadow of death with armies pursuing him with the worst intent. In Psalm 43:5, he caught himself having no confidence. “Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me?” So he shifts his focus from despair to praise, from himself to God. “Wait for God, for I will again praise Him for the help of His presence, my God.” At its core, despair is wallowing in the realization of our own inability to handle things. Though it’s crucial to admit our weakness, we don’t want to get stuck there!
3) God-confidence – Paul flipped the script on both self and no confidence. He said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me“ (Philippians 4:13). The secret is to trust not in our own human capabilities, but in God’s Divine power in us. I can do! In fact, I can do all things! I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! Tell yourself this constantly because it’s true! Of course, we must receive Jesus as our Savior before we can be sure He lives inside us. Find out how and why here.
I’m happy to admit I’m weak, as I’ve discovered some of Christ’s power through me. But hey, this lesson is not just for major trials. Life itself is too great to handle on our own. You might say life is a contact sport! Be confident of this – Jesus strengthens us moment-by-moment as He lives through us. Thank God!
Request our free cancer gift basket for more of our story on God’s power when we are weak.
Pray with us on Facebook!
Join our Facebook prayer group, Stronghold Ministry Healing Prayer, and tune in for Facebook Prayer LIVE on 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 PM CST. Sign up to receive an email reminder!
