When our self-assurance is from God, it will create fearlessness that can often resemble arrogance
Check out Paul the apostle. I’m sure many thought he was arrogant and full of too much self confidence but Paul didn’t need to glory in himself, God did it for him!
I go on to many of the Christian forums and see some people criticising faith teaching on the basis that they ‘pounded’ God with his Word and never got what they wanted to receive.
Well, I’ve got news for you, God isn’t impressed with your words when they don’t match up with your actions. The words you speak must penetrate your heart so you act as if what you’ve just declared has already come to pass. In other words, now you’ve declared that thing you must be at peace, knowing that God is dealing with it. If you haven’t got that peace, all you’ve done is gone through the motions of declaration without the belief.
You can quote scripture all you like, but if you don’t believe what you’re quoting, no amount of shouting and emotion is going to make you SEE the good things has planned for those who love him and trust him.
And yes, that peace and belief in God’s ability will sometimes make people think that you’re too calm so you must be egotistical. But that’s okay!
Chris and I have really had to believe God for some big things this past year and the great thing about being married is being able to assure each other when things aren’t going so well.
About a year ago now, we were having problems with my accountant and Chris wanted to implement his ‘plan B strategy.’ I told him, “no plan B,’ God has already done the work.” But he was insistent that as the man of the house, he had to protect his wife – which I greatly love and respect by the way and “you know I love you baby.” And I was grateful but “I had to boldly forbid him from taking any action.
I’ve no doubt the proponents of ‘submit to your husband’ are going to have something to say about this, but that boldness wasn’t mine and perhaps I’ll share the full story on this one day.
But anyway, Chris told me “I don’t trust your accountant.” I told him, “neither do I, but I trust God.”
Needless to say, things turned out exactly as I said they would, but Chris, he’s not done with me yet and he says “you were right, but I never know with you whether it’s faith or arrogance.”
Well, wow! I only had an audience of one that day, my poor husband, but I wanted to preach!!
My response to this was simple… when someone has more confidence than us, we often say they’re arrogant. Well, faith is no different, when someone has more faith than us, they can come across as being vein, overconfident or arrogant.
My confidence wasn’t in my own ability to ensure my accountant submitted my accounts and keep the tax inspector from my front door, my confidence was in God.
When I declared his Word, I simply believed what I was declaring. So much so that even though through no fault of my own, I was fined and my car ‘listed’ to be collected for auction if my accounts weren’t submitted within 7 days, I went to bed and I slept well. I carried on with my daily activities as I would normally, knowing that “as it was in heaven, so it was on earth.”
I had no fear of the consequences, because I knew things had to work in my favour. After all, I am the favour of God in Christ Jesus!
So go ahead, get your daily dose of self-assurance through reading and believing God’s Word. Declare it, believe it and be at peace and even though it might look like arrogance to others, you ensure you just walk in fearless victory.
Blessings until next time,
