Morning Devotional

January 19, 2004

"Confidence" 

by Don Emmitte

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But I am not ashamed. I know the One in Whom I have put my trust. I am sure He is able to keep safe that which I have trusted to Him until the day He comes again. Keep all the things I taught you. They were given to you in the faith and love of Jesus Christ. Keep safe that which He has trusted you with by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:12-14 NLT).

I like to think of myself as a positive motivator for those around me. January is always a slow time in car sales, so it is especially important to be a cheerleader. I am often asked how I can be so positive all the time. I wish I had the answer. The truth is, I can’t explain why some people are eager to tackle life with confidence while others live in doubt and shy away from stepping outside their comfort zone. But I have learned one thing after all these years of motivating others to keep going on. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you have confidence that you can do it. It’s a choice. You can choose to believe in yourself and your goals. Confidence, like every good gift, comes from God. If you didn’t receive the gift, you can make the choice. And when you make the choice, you receive the gift.

There are many people who were not particularly bright or talented who have gone on to be highly successful. Some discovered hidden talents. But so many others simply chose to aim high and surprised themselves by hitting their target. They trusted the source of their confidence. Certainly this is what the Apostle Paul meant as he wrote to young Timothy in our reading this morning.

Major Daniel W. Whittle, during the Civil War, wrote a very familiar hymn that echoes this truth. The chorus is as follows:

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day.

Don’t let your dreams die for lack of confidence. Don’t let others transfer their fears to you. And don’t wait until you “know enough.” If you do that, you’ll never begin. How will you know what you can accomplish if you never try? Even if God did not endow you with the multiple gifts, He has confidence in you. He created you for a purpose and gave you an incredible mind and body to do important work. He has a plan for your life, and His plan is not for you to fail. Have confidence that God wants you to succeed. You CAN do it! Just don’t quit!