CONFIDENCE
15th Jan 2020
Losing confidence is not uncommon. If things have gone wrong in an area of our lives it is difficult to believe that they can change in the future. The enemy will always try and hold us captive to our fears, which is why Paul told Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
I am reading a book by Marilyn Hickey, full of victories, also set backs and challenges. Her determination to hold on to her faith and to keep going forward is both inspiring and challenging. Paul lived with plenty of difficulties and set backs, but declares his position clearly when he says, “Not that I have arrived at my goal….But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
You cannot change the past, so do not let it become a stumbling block to your future. God has given you promises that still hold true, and you need to continue to stand on them and expect their fulfilment. Jesus was constantly challenging fear in His disciples as He would often say, “Fear Not”. He says the same to us.
Hebrews 10:36 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere.” Then there is the response, from The Message, “But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way” (v39)
As I enter another year I am challenged to look again at God’s call on my life and see the things that have yet to be fulfilled, and to press on to “take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me.”
Finally, here is a quote from Marilyn Hickey’s book, at 88 she is still pressing on, and says, “We must stand in faith, stay faithful to the vision, and take God at His Word.”
The book is, “It’s not over until you win.” by Marilyn Hickey.
by Charles Sibthorpe
