Lots of questions but I think they're important ones in any discussion of personal Triumph. We've all seen those men and women who seem to exude confidence--it seems to almost ooze from their pores. In my experience, it's a mystery. Why do some have it and others don't? Why do some of us struggle while, to others, it comes so naturally, so easily, it seems? It's an age-old question.For some, confidence is consistent, at other times it's fleeting. Sometimes it's a facade, a wave, a ripple moving like a tiny fishing ship tossed at sea. Other times, it's real and strong and seemingly immovable, like a giant sequoia tree in the deepest forest. As we know, both get blown by the wind, even ravaged at times, but one isn't moved and the other one is, and maybe even drowned; we've all experienced this. Even the most confident of us, at times, feel vulnerable, shaken and alone. And then, we're strong again, confident.... It's bizarre, a good question, a good topic for discussion. And then, I ask you, at the same time, isn't vulnerability and worry, in certain ways, an asset or a strength as well? Isn't it a sign of true confidence to admit when you are human, wavering or weak? Isn't this the essence of strength ... to be honest in your weakness, to admit when you're not perfect but, rather, to be human, authentic, accessible and real?
Lots of great questions. We all want to be confident and I think we all can be, in our own personal ways. One man's confidence is another man's weakness. One may seem arrogant. Another may seem too subdued. I think, ultimately, it doesn't really matter: it is for each of us to decide if our brand of confidence makes us happy and if it's moving us in the direction we desire. If it is then it's sufficient. If it isn't, then we need to keep trying. As long as we are okay with ourselves or, at least, okay with the person we're becoming, then we're good to go. We can sleep well at night and wake prepared for what life hands us. We can Triumph over it all. No other opinion matters nearly as much as does our own.
I'll stop talking now. It's late. Please ... share your thoughts. When do you feel most confident? What have you found that helps you get there? What, in your own life, has helped you develop greater confidence, and courage? What do you suggest the rest of can do to get there in our own separate ways? Please share with us your insights and ideas.
Thanks for listening. I appreciate "the shot in the arm" your ongoing readership provides.
Ever more wise and more confident,
JP River
Great thought provoking article. I’ll share what came to mind for me as you asked questions. I love the Old Testament stories. The Israelites who had spent forty years wandering in the desert came to end of their journey and prepared to settle the promised land of Canaan. The ritualistic supply of manna had ceased and Joshua was the new leader. Before entering Jericho Joshua was visited by the Captain of the Hosts, a spiritual being of the unseen army that would accompany them into battle. We know little of the encounter with the Captain but we do know that Joshua was instructed to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground, which leads scholars to believe that it was Jehovah himself holding council with Joshua. I can’t image what that was like for him to stand before his Deity face to face.
ReplyDeleteThe Israelites didn't know all that was before them however they had a confidence in the source of their strength and because Joshua had made strict measures of exact obedience his God there to keep the rest of the promises. A well known city that was difficult to penetrate had caught rumor of the God of Israel and the battles he won on their behalf. The story ends with the walls of Jericho literally coming down in a manner that was to be written and song of for centuries.
I've observed that one source of confidence can come from believing you are on the right team or in good favor with influential people. The Israelites are a good example of that kind of scenario. The esteem for your personal worth once the ball of confidence starts to roll reaches out to all areas of your circumferences. Many of us fake it until we make it and lucky for those who have already found it.
Being confident (speaking as one who is often viewed that way) is, I think, just what you described well--a balancing act between what we may appear to be on the outside and what we ourselves feel we are, often much less than that appearance. That said, the best source of true confidence comes, from knowing we are right with ourselves, with others, and, most important, with our God. Nothing else really matters much. That doesn't mean we are perfect--only working on becoming. Facing upwards, turned towards His light.
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