True Confidence

Do we not all want greater confidence? I know I do. 

There are times when I fall prey to seeking after the "Worlds" view of confidence. The World tells you that you must have: fancy clothes, perfect hair, the perfect body, you should be desired by all, you should be the center of attention, and the whole World should revolve around you -- because you are so glorious and amazing, am I right?  

As I have watched some years go by, I have noticed that this generation struggles with selfishness more than ever before. 

With the availability of every "i" device you can think of, with cameras that help you take the perfect "selfie", with social media that can cause you to feel immense pressure to "perform" and be "perfect". . . the list could go on and on. But the reality is that so many in our generation have become preoccupied with oneself -- and creating the perfect image of oneself, even worshipping oneself. This is the iGeneration.

Me, me, me. Mine, mine, mine. Now, now, now! 

I am no different. 

I am certainly not above being selfish! I can, like anyone else, fall into the trap of "tunnel vision" with only a "perfect me" as the light at the end of my tunnel. Only a perfect me will be happy, joyful, and satisfied. Only a perfect me will be good enough to make a difference in society, only a perfect me can be confident, right? 

No, no, NO! Not right! 

This tunnel vision can happen quite often, if I am not careful. To accomplish happiness, I try to come up with ways for me to feel good, and ways that I can have my needs, and desires, filled. I try to think of ways I can strengthen my confidence, by thinking only of me. 

But funny thing . . . confidence never comes that way. No not ever. 

It does not come seeking after oneself . . . there is another way! 

A beautiful way. 

It is possible to pull myself away from the World, and forget about the "Who's who", and the "What's what", and I can remember who I really am.  And in those moments -- which I find in prayer and scripture study -- those moments are when I have found I am truly confident. 

When I fill my time with reading the Words of God, talking to God through prayer, listening to beautiful and uplifting music (or singing it), and giving myself in service to others -- THAT is when I feel confident. That is when I feel happy. And confidence and happiness are very closely related, I believe. 

And confident and happy is what God wants us to be! 

As I draw myself closer to my Heavenly Father, all of the Worlds ideas of confidence and perfection melt away, and I begin to see myself how God wants me to be. He wants me to know that I am His daughter. He wants me to serve Him. He wants me to love Him. And most importantly, He wants me to know that He loves me! 

God loves me! 

And when you have that relationship with God, you will find that confidence will come to you -- no matter who you are, no matter what your circumstances, no matter the time, or season, of life. 

So if you, like I, would like greater confidence -- than give up your selfish self-seeking, give yourself to God, and become the person you truly want to be. 

Remember to look to God and live . . . and Rejoice! 

Happiness and confidence can be yours, TODAY!