Confidence
"There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (GNT)
Success means just being who God made you to be. Knowing this should give you enormous confidence. But you might admit that you’re not very confident most of the time. Maybe you’re just flat out insecure. You may act like you’re confident, but some things about you even you don’t like. Why are you lacking in confidence? There are two reasons.
First, you’re trying to be somebody that God didn’t shape you to be. And that’s scary, because you can’t be anybody else. “There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 GNT). You’re only going to gain confidence when you discover your capacity—how God shaped you. That includes your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences.
The other reason you often lack confidence is that you depend on your own power instead of God’s power. That’s a guarantee for failure! Even though God has put a certain capacity in you, he hasn’t made you able to do it all on your own. God never meant for you to go through life on your own power. He meant for you to depend on him.
A blender is designed to blend things, but it’s worthless unless it’s plugged in to power. If the blender just sits there and is never plugged in, it’s useless. It can’t fulfill its purpose. God has given you capabilities, but they’re worthless unless you’re plugged in to his power through the Holy Spirit. With Christ, you have everything you need to live with confidence.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens andempowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace]” (AMP).
Discussion Time:
1. How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?
2. In what practical ways can you get plugged in to God’s power?
3. What are the specific ways God has given you the capacity to fulfill your purpose?
Success means just being who God made you to be. Knowing this should give you enormous confidence. But you might admit that you’re not very confident most of the time. Maybe you’re just flat out insecure. You may act like you’re confident, but some things about you even you don’t like. Why are you lacking in confidence? There are two reasons.
First, you’re trying to be somebody that God didn’t shape you to be. And that’s scary, because you can’t be anybody else. “There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 GNT). You’re only going to gain confidence when you discover your capacity—how God shaped you. That includes your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences.
The other reason you often lack confidence is that you depend on your own power instead of God’s power. That’s a guarantee for failure! Even though God has put a certain capacity in you, he hasn’t made you able to do it all on your own. God never meant for you to go through life on your own power. He meant for you to depend on him.
A blender is designed to blend things, but it’s worthless unless it’s plugged in to power. If the blender just sits there and is never plugged in, it’s useless. It can’t fulfill its purpose. God has given you capabilities, but they’re worthless unless you’re plugged in to his power through the Holy Spirit. With Christ, you have everything you need to live with confidence.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens andempowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace]” (AMP).
Discussion Time:
1. How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?
2. In what practical ways can you get plugged in to God’s power?
3. What are the specific ways God has given you the capacity to fulfill your purpose?
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