Confidence: The Action
by Gabriel Downey
Confidence isn’t a way of thinking; it’s a way of living. If we have confidence in our head and forget to act on it, what’s the point? Acting in confidence and with purpose is one of the most important traits of a great leader. Confidence attracts people to us, because we know what we believe is true and we portray it in the way we live and speak. The definition of confidence is faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way; a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers; a quality or state of being certain. According to this definition, many of the words that are used point toward action, rather than a stagnant thought, for example: “act” and “state of being.” “Act” obviously is the root of action and “state of being” is a state of living, as opposed to a state of mind or thought. It’s probably apparent by now, that to be an effective leader we need confidence. To be this effective leader, we need to, first, start with being confident in ourselves.
This is so rare these days, because of the everyday pressures of being popular and how people view us. I don’t think anyone can honestly say, “I don’t care what people think.” There is always one area or attribute or flaw that each of us has that, at least, makes us feel the slightest self conscious about. But in my opinion, we can’t be effective leaders without flaws, because it’s from these flaws and imperfections that we learn and grow. And with these blemishes people will be attracted to us and they will be able to relate better and we will be able to guide them through all of the imperfections. Confidence cannot even be achieved if there are no flaws, because we have nothing to overcome and be confident in; we would be perfect.
Secondly, we have to be confident in what we believe. Confidence in our belief in Christ cannot be found, unless we are walking in sync with Jesus, spending time with Him, and growing in Him by eating from the Word. It says in John 15, “those apart from Me can do nothing.” We need to go deeper into the Word and grow our roots firm and deep in Christ for confidence to be possible.
And lastly, just like everything else, confidence is a choice. We have to choose to lead a confident life and be confident in ourselves and in our beliefs. Once we choose to be confident in ourselves and in Christ, confidence will overflow into every aspect of our lives, such as in our relationships, how we speak, and in our everyday choices.
Confidence is a way of living, not a way of thinking. Without confidence there is no faith.
Hebrews 11:1
Philippians 3:3-4
Titus 1:2
