Have Confidence

from the book Beauty for Ashes By: Joyce Meyer

"Confidence has been defined as quality of assurance that leads one to undertake something (like my upcoming move :) the belief that one is able and acceptable; the certainly that causes one to be bold, open and plain. (I'm good at going that lol) If you think about this threefold definition, you will see why the devil attacks anyone who shows any degree of confidence.

People who have been abused, rejected, or abandoned usually lack confidence. As we have already mentioned in previous chapters, such individuals are shame-based and guilt-ridden and have poor self-image.

The devil begins his assault on personal confidence whenever and wherever he can find an opening, especially during the vulnerable years of childhood. (psh! get behind me Satan is all I have to say to that :) Even while a child is still in the womb, the devil initiates his ultimate goal of total destruction of that person. (what a jerk! lol) The reason is simple: An individual without confidence will never step out to do anything edifying to the kingdom of God or anything detrimental to Satan's kingdom, and therefore will never fulfill the plan of God for his life. (lame.....may that never be so)

Satan does not want you to fulfill God's plan for your life because he knows that you are part of his ultimate defeat. (that's right, you're going DOWN!) If he can make you think and believe that you are incapable, then you will not even try to acomplish anything worthwhile. (psh!) Even if you do make an effort, your fear of failure will seal your defeat, which, because of your lack of confidence, you probably expected from the beginning. (ouch :( This is what is often referred to as the 'Failure Syndrome.'

No matter how many wonderful plans God has in mind for you, there is one thing you must know: God's ability to bring His will to pass in your life is determined by your faith in Him and in His Word. (Lord I believe, but help me also in my unbelief.) If you truly want to be happy and successful (who doesn't? :) then you must begin to believe that God has a plan for your life and that He will cause good things to happen to you as you put your trust in Him."
(For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Amen!)

The devil wants you and me to feel so bad about ourselves that we have no confidence in ourselves. But here is the good news: We do not need confidence in ourselves- we need confidence in Jesus!"

Amen! "Now to him who is able to do abundantly more then all that we ask or imagine. To him be glory in the church both now and forever. Amen!" :) God is good!