Have you ever been scrolling through social media or with friends and you see someone that exudes confidence? There is just something about the way they look, speak, or just their presence. You are not sure what that something is, you just know it is there. Or so you think.
It is easy to think that confidence is something you either have or you do not. It can grow and you can become more self-assured, but it had to already be there to grow. Yet, the older I get, the more I learn, and help other women, wives, and moms grow in their confidence I have learned the truth about confidence. Three key truths about confidence that we all need to hold on to.
True Confidence Has Nothing To Do With Looks
It is so easy in the world we live in it is so easy to fake it until we make it and the same can be said about confidence. True confidence does not have a particular look, sound, or walk. All these things are just appearances and tell nothing about what is going on inside.
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things
that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,
2 Corinthians 4:18a (ESV)
This applies to not just others, but to ourselves. Looking the part is not enough. We have to actually be walking it out.
I know for myself, there were so many years when things looked great on the outside. I was always put together physically, had a husband, and a growing family that was all smiles. However, on the inside, it was anything but.
I like so many women lacked true confidence because I had become so wrapped up in my appearance and what I thought others wanted to see. Not realizing until much later that if I continued to look outside of myself and to others to be reassured or affirmed, the self-confidence I sought would never be achieved.
Once you take your eyes off of the external and others, the real truth about confidence becomes clearer.
True Confidence Doesn’t Start Within
Now just hear me out. Yes, to be self-confident and self-assured does come from within. It just does not actually start there. Because if confidence really started within, there would be no need to build it or work one it.
Real lasting confidence comes from God within you. Your trust, hope, and confidence in who He created you to be. As you draw closer to and grow in your relationship with God, so will your true confidence. You are called to and through so much in different seasons in your life.
Yet in all those moments and season, you can stand confidently not because of who you are, but whose you are.
For the Lord will be your confidence,
Hebrews 13:6a (ESV)
This is something that is so easy for us to overlook because so much of what we think we know about confidence comes from what we see or what we feel. However, feelings like the season change, yet you know that God does not. Therefore what your true confidence is based on should not change either.
True Confidence Takes Work
It takes work to look past our appearances and the thoughts of others. It takes work to take our focus off of ourselves, what we think and feel and to put our focus on God. Daily work!
Growing closer to and working towards becoming the woman you were created to be. As a woman, wife, and/or mom. All the then many hats and responsibilities that you strive to walk confidently in. Trusting that perfect is not your goal because confidence does not require perfection.
Confidence requires you to fully walk in who you were created to be, even while knowing she is a work in progress. A wonderful work in progress that holds onto all the truths about confidence knowing that it is not about appearances, is centered on God, and is something you work on daily.
I’d love to know one truth about confidence you hold onto in the comments!
This article is so true, so often we rely on self and look to others. God is indeed the true source of the confidence we need. Thank you for this. It’s a struggle for me to get past what others think I should look like or be doing, but I am determined to get to the place where it only matters what God thinks.
I’m so glad that this was able to encourage you right when you needed it, Josette. Not looking to or focusing on what other says is definitely not easy, but with God it is possible. 💕
I love this post and the advice you’ve shared! I agree that it takes time and consistency.
I’m so glad it was able to speak to you as well, Raina. 💕
As you said confidence doesn’t require perfection. Such a nice post x
Definitely agree with you here. I lack confidence even in my “older” age. It’s something that I work on daily.
Such a great message! Great reminder to believe in yourself and always give it to God.
Amen! He created us in His image. Thank you for this short and sweet post! Keep doing you 🙂
Yes He did, Ashley. And thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement.
I need to print some of this out!! This is so helpful 🙂
These would be great for affirmation cards, Jenna. Thanks for the idea. 💕
Love that we don’t have to be stronger or louder to be confident but that it comes from God!
This was an awesome post! Social media is so crazy and it does seem as though everyone is “perfect”, but it is so easy to fake it. We all need to remember that! Love the confidence tips!
Thank you so much, Kelly. We have to look past the feeds and remember our own behind the scenes.
Such a great reminder that it takes consistent work! We will reap a harvest if we continue to faithfully sow the right seeds in the right areas!
Yes, Bethany!!! Sowing the right seeds is key!
I love these truths, Ayanna! True, unshakable confidence comes from within. When we know who we are in God, our confidence cannot help but grow! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Heather, and I’m so glad it spoke to you too. There is just nothing like that God-given confidence.
Love this post! I have been thinking of a career change but did not think I had the confidence to pull it off. Thank you for reminding me my heavenly Father has given me the confidence I just need to have faith.
Enjoy your day.
You can do this, Lisa! Putting our trust and confidence in God makes all the difference. 💕