How to Develop Confidence in God

Many years ago, I took a class in which the instructor had the students participate in an icebreaker activity. He gave us a list of skills and asked us to check off those skills that we could do- skills like 'driving a car' and 'speaking a foreign language.' After that, you switched papers with someone else. You looked at their list and checked off the things on their list that you could do, but they couldn't. The activity showed that you could accomplish far more partnered with someone than you could by yourself. I thought that it was a good lesson, but even with the other person's skills added to mine, I noticed there were still boxes on the paper left unchecked. Then it hit me: If you could check off the things God could do on the list, then every single box on that paper would be checked! Many of us think that we could handle life's challenges better if we only had self confidence. While self confidence helps, it is limited to only what we can do by ourselves. I have learned that God confidence is much more powerful. When I have a major challenge, self confidence just isn't enough. I end up comparing how big the challenge is and see how meager my skills are to deal with it. My faith starts to fade. But when I compare the challenge to the greatness of an all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful God, then it shrinks in size. I am reminded that everything I need to handle the challenge is in Him. My faith and confidence grows. If you are feeling discouraged in your health and weight loss efforts, then ask yourself: Are you comparing these challenges to your own abilities? Why not try a different way? I recommend writing the following encouraging scriptures on index cards and committing them to memory. When your eyes shift to your circumstances, remind yourself with these scriptures that the awesome God you serve is greater than anything you face: Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Remember, you must constantly renew your mind with these encouraging scriptures. Just as you wouldn't expect one bath to maintain cleanliness for the rest of your life, so you mustn't expect one review of these scriptures to maintain your confidence. Review them daily or even several times a day until they become a part of you. And you too will watch your God confidence grow so that you can prosper in everything He calls you to do!