In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence.

Proverbs 14:26 ESV

It is challenging for me to trust God. I have little self-confidence but even less God-confidence. Fear of people destroys my well-being. Shame impairs me with these beliefs: I’m not good enough. I’m a disappointment to others. Something is wrong with me. When someone confronts me, fear clenches my chest and freezes my brain. As a result, I feel powerless and allow others to bully me.

Lord, I want confidence in You more than anything else!

Jesus once said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36 ESV).

There is no confidence apart from trust. Confidence is assurance, certainty, and boldness. Trusting God is a part of what fearing God looks like. But what does it practically mean to trust God?

This is what it means to trust God: We will be sure about the things that we hope for. We will be sure in our minds about things that we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1 EASY).

 Relying on God may mean to:

· Believe what He says about us. We are daughters of the King, worthy of His love and care.

· Step toward others instead of withdrawing.

· Let go of worry and excuses.

· Rest in Him as our comfort and security instead of demanding that from others.

· Be a doer of His word despite unknown outcomes.

· Act on what we know to be true in a situation.

· Talk with Him in prayer as a Person who loves us no matter what.

· Thrive in freedom instead of being bound by lies.

· Thank Him for fulfilling His promises before He acts.

· Remember that He can accomplish anything.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me” (Hebrews 13:6 ESV)?

 Be encouraged. Take heart through action. We have hope.

Karen Sims