Do you want to be confident in who God made you to be?
Do feelings of insecurity hold you back from moving forward with something God has put on your heart to pursue?
But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7
Last week I wrote, Why You Can Be Confident In Christ—that confidence doesn’t come from our abilities but in Christ who gives us the confidence to use them.
This week, I want to share some more specific ways you can stand with assurance when God calls you to live out your purpose and calling.
Appreciate the Gifts and Abilities God Has Given You
Just as our confidence comes “in him,” our gifts and abilities also come from the Lord. They are given to us by his grace and put to use by his grace. Knowing God gives me the grace to use my gifts, makes me bold so I can step out in faith when I feel God prompting me to do something.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans: 12:6 NIV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
God gives me the grace to abound in every good work! #confidenceinChrist Share on X
Remember God Makes You Adequate
Sometimes God calls us to do things that are out of our comfort zone–maybe even minister in a way we don’t feel gifted or qualified in. He may want us to fill a need that doesn’t align with our “gifts” or that we just don’t really feel like doing.
If God is calling you to serve in or out of your ability level, He will make you an adequate servant.
I was in a traveling church choir in high school, even though I’m not gifted with a great singing voice. I’m scared to death to speak in front of groups, but I’ve shared my testimony in MOPS, women’s Bible studies, and church.
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate servants of the new covenant. 2 Corinthians 3:4
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
I wish I could add the following to my blog bio description: Speaker. I admire women who speak because they just seem so confident in who God made them to be. But I just don’t feel called to be a public speaker—at least not yet. Lord, Please Don’t Send Me to Africa, that song from the 90’s comes to mind. (I know, I’m dating myself.)
I love writing because I don’t feel like I communicate well verbally. In my very first blog post I wrote:
“I have always had a passion for writing. I feel like I speak two languages and am only fluent in one. I cannot speak the thoughts I’m able to write down. The person who I really am is the one hidden behind the words that are stirring in my heart and mind. These words are not capable of expressing themselves verbally. They are only expressed when they flow from my mind to my fingers.”
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6
Wishing to be gifted like someone else is actually silly. Just check out this verse:
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:15-20 NIV
Our abilities and gifts may be different, but our purpose is the same—to live out His calling in our lives.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-13 NIV
Let God Use Your Weakness to Show His Strength
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
I experienced intense anxiety before those public speaking engagements. But every single time, as soon as I began speaking, God’s peace overcame me. The power of the Holy Spirit took over my nerves and even my shaking hands.
Even in our areas of giftedness, we may doubt our capability. I just read a FB thread in my writing group from authors who have secured book contracts after years of pursuing a message God laid on their heart. But suddenly they feel paralyzed by the expectation of their gift, and fear suddenly blocks the flow of words.
God will often stop us in our tracks to show us where the power comes from. He will use draft after draft and effort after effort to perfect His strength in us so that we might feel God’s power working through us as we rest in His strength and not our own.
Be Brave and Say Yes to the Next Step
Each time I take the next step and do the next thing I build up my confidence in Christ and experience God’s grace and power firsthand.
In 100 Days to Brave, Annie F. Downs says,
I never felt brave. But day after day, I just did the next thing, took the next step, said the next yes.
Now I find myself lifting my foot for the next step with a little less fear and a little more confidence–because I know when my foot lands on the ground, God is already there. He’s my sure foundation. The solid rock upon which I stand.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6 NIV
What’s the next step for you? How can you walk in the confidence of Christ this year? I would love for you to share in the comments below.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
“I experienced intense anxiety before those public speaking engagements…”
YUP. EXACTLY. I FEEL THIS EVERY DAY!
Not that long ago I thought that I was unshakeable, but as it turns out, I simply wasn’t stretching myself out of my comfort zone.
Less than six months after reading the same book, “100 Days to Brave” by the amazing Annie F. Downs, I started my own writing business with only a few college essays, some freelance blog posts and a whole lot of nerves under my belt!
I’ve dealt with intense anxiety for the last while as things have really begun to pick up, and this part I’m working on:
“But every single time, as soon as I began speaking, God’s peace overcame me. The power of the Holy Spirit took over my nerves and even my shaking hands.”
Sometimes I can slow down enough to let His peace calm me and other days I’m too caffeinated and afraid to listen, but every day I thank Him for taking me into a difficult season in order to teach me how to truly lean on Him.
Thank you for your insight and for pushing past fear to do those public speaking engagements!
<3BB
Victory! I hopped over to your FB page and read a little bit about your testimony. It’s such a joy to see women push past fear and follow where God leads even when they are scared. I’m praying for you as your business picks up and anxiety rises. In Christ, the peace of God will guard your mind and your heart (Phil 4:7). Thank you so much for sharing.
So glad I get to pin from your website again this week, Valerie! I love your content!
I have been feeling a tug to join our church choir for about two years now. The only problem is, i lack the confidence due to past hurts. I am afraid to let people, with the exception of my kids, hear me sing. I was in my school choir and i had so much confidence in my singing then, but now i don’t. How can i get my confidence back from the pain of the past?
Hi Natasha, Thank you so much for sharing your heart here. My thoughts are whirling with all the encouragement I want to give because I know what it’s like to be afraid to use a gift God has given and even question if it is a gift. I was terrified to start this blog! I was so afraid people wouldn’t like my writing. I had a few people affirm my writing and I knew it was God giving me a nudge. I realized I was a Christian all my life but the spirit of fear had a hold on me. One day God showed me that I feared man more than I feared him. And although I didn’t quite know what that meant, I began researching how to fear the Lord. I’m working on a book about it now and whether or not it gets published is in God’s hands. But the “how to do it afraid” is in learning how to fear the Lord more than my own fears. Once we can get past our fear of man and see the calling he has placed on our life and our purpose, then God gives us the confidence to step out in faith when we are scared. I know taking that step is so hard! I also related to your comment because my daughter loves to sing. She was so nervous to try out for the school play last year and made second lead. The youth pastor went to see her play and then asked her to be a part of the worship band at church. She’s done great. But just a few days ago she told me she doesn’t like how she sounds when she plays back the video. She’s worried she’s not good enough, even though people have affirmed her singing. She still has work to do. Sometimes her siblings tell her to be quiet when she practices, lol. Just like in writing, the art takes practice and sometimes finding the right song for your voice. It takes time for writers to find their voice too. But that doesn’t discount their God-given gift. If the Holy Spirit is affirming your gift and opening doors for you, what’s the worst that can happen? What can man do to you? God is on your side. My book that I have worked on for four years may be rejected by the publishing company reviewing it now. But I knew if I didn’t try I would regret it. Philippians 4:7 reminds me that in Christ we find our peace, In Christ, our hearts are guarded from the fear of man. When we experience that first-hand it transcends all our understanding. Praying for you dear sister in Christ!
I have frequently felt the same way, but through the years God has continued to show Himself faithful. I’m so thankful that He does. I love the idea of taking the next step. I think that’s so often the way God works. He knows if He showed us the whole big picture, it would seem far to overwhelming. Thanks for writing on such a relatable topic.
That’s so good! God knows it would be overwhelming if he shows us the whole picture and so he asks us to just follow him one step at a time.
I totally resonated with how you feel you write better than you speak! I feel the same way about myself. Writing allows me to have that time to process my thoughts while a conversation doesn’t. I need that time to process! Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth – you offer a very encouraging message.
Well, I’m glad I’m not the only writer who has a hard time speaking. Thank you for your kind words Aimee!
Yes!! Great tips! Thank you for this post.
Ahhhh … what a blessing it is to stop here and read your words of encouragement and truth! We would think within the Christian world, it would be easier to walk in that confidence … that maybe there would be less comparison or competition in that world. But it’s not! Thank you for your reminders of truth here. I know I needed to read them! Sending you hugs and love,
Lori
Thank you Lori. I love all your posts on this subject as well.
Valerie, this title got me because I struggled with believing I had something of value to offer in the world. I felt for so long my trip ups were bigger than life, and had to learn (and still am) that God’s grace and love are sufficient. Thanks so much, I shared this everywhere today because this a message I relate to well. God bless!
Thank you so much for sharing, Meg. I chose the title because I’ve struggled to describe myself as a confident Christian woman, even though I’ve been a Christian for most of my life. God is working in my life to be that woman that he already created me to be. It just seems like I have to be willing to take the next step.
I have also struggled with a lack of self-confidence. But God keeps providing opportunities to stretch my faith. Great post, Valerie!
Sarah, your ministry is inspiring and certainly shows that you walk in faith and follow where God leads you. Blessings to you!
I am so happy you shared this. When I look around me in the working world, the blogging world, the motherhood world, marriage world, etc., I always begin to second guess myself, but God is still working…always working, and He reminds me of gifts He has already given me that He needs me to use…NO MATTER WHAT!
Amen! Isn’t it amazing how he’s made us all different and unique so his message could be spread through our individual gifts and personalities? Blessings to you and your ministry!
This is so encouraging, Valerie. I often look at all I need to do and think I’m inadequate. I need to spend some time meditating on these verses.
Thank you, Shannon. Have a blessed day!
Beautiful post Valerie! I can hear the voice of our Father calling us out ” come on my children. Step out in faith.”
Valerie, let us answer “Here I am!” one step at a time.?
He’s already there waiting for us to reach his open arms.
Great words of hope and encouragement, Valerie!
Your ROAR is getting louder.
Love it!
Melanie
Ha! Thanks friend!
I absolutely LOVE this: “I have always had a passion for writing. I feel like I speak two languages and am only fluent in one. I cannot speak the thoughts I’m able to write down. The person who I really am is the one hidden behind the words that are stirring in my heart and mind. These words are not capable of expressing themselves verbally. They are only expressed when they flow from my mind to my fingers.”
You must have written that for me!! 😉 But what I love most about this post is not comparing to others. I think back on the countless times comparison has stolen my time depositing defeating thoughts and zapping energy meant to further His kingdom. You’re so right, it is just plain silly!
Oh man, comparison certainly zaps confidence and causes us to doubt. Thank you for commenting and understanding what it feels like to express yourself better through writing than speaking. Blessings to you!
Can’t begin to tell you how relevant this post is to me on this January morning. Whenever I’m pulling together a writing project or notes for teaching, I experience this overwhelming sense of inadequacy (“What am I doing here? Who ever thought I had something to say on this topic??”), but then God rushes to my rescue with reassurance. I’m learning that He wants me to persevere through that burst of un-confidence so I can realize my sufficiency is in Him.
Tweeting your wise words!
Thank you so much for sharing. There’s just something comforting about knowing we aren’t alone in this struggle. I’m often surprised to discover that women whom I perceive as always being confident, struggle with the same feelings of inadequacy at times. I’m so glad the Lord reassures and gives us confidence in His strength and sufficiency.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act.” Yes! And thank goodness for it. It’s not our strength, but His!
I can most definitely relate to the speaking nerves. No matter how often I have spoken in front of others, I still hate it just as much as the first time. I wish it weren’t so. But maybe that’s how God keeps us dependent on Him! 😉
Great word!
Hi Rachel! True. In fact, I read a post (I forget where) about how our anxiety can lead us to depend on God for our strength. It also keeps us humble, knowing our strength comes from God. Thank you so much for commenting.
Finding our identity in Him is important and also understanding how we are wired and our personality make-up helps us understand who we are and why we do what we do. It is a good reminder that He is faithful to us and we can do all things through Him who gives us strength. Thanks for these encouraging words. (Stopping by from #HeartEncouragement) Have a great weekend! ~ Rachel
Great insight Rachel. I think understanding our personality make-up helps us accept that we are unique and wired specially by God. Thank you so much for visiting!
“If God is calling you to serve in or out of your ability level, He will make you an adequate servant.” That is just what I needed to hear today Val.
Thank you, Sue! I thankful for your ministry and friendship.
I love the confidence we have in Christ. I grew up very shy and insecure, but through Christ I have been transformed. So thankful for Jesus.
I’m so glad we are secure in Christ and can stand confidently in HIm. Thank you for sharing!