Tavern Talk #51 - Coffee in One Hand, Christian Confidence in the Other

“Confidence” is defined as the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something.

Each day we blindly place our confidence in a multitude of things: bridges, buildings, cars, ships, boats, elevators – the list goes on and on. This confidence is bestowed on an unnamed, unknown, and faceless multitude of people who designed, constructed, manufactured, and now maintain these works. We regularly place our health, well-being, and even our lives in the hands of other individuals such as physicians, pharmacists, chiropractors, dentists, chefs, waiters, and bartenders as we make our way through very rich lives. This despite many notorious and unknown instances where such confidence was misplaced, unearned, or abused.

Yet how often do we lack confidence in God? How much trust do we place in God? Is our reliance on God an integral part of our lives?

God never forsakes us. Never abandons us. Is always there for us. And has made provisions for us that last beyond a lifetime. God is here for us today and forever. Some might feel, yet never admit, that their reliance, their confidence, in God is not strong because God has let them down, disappointed them, or failed to protect them. Hardships and disappointments of life are not the result of God’s failures but they are commonly a consequence of our own. I’m not saying that we cause or deserve misfortune but that our disappointment is the result of our expectation that God would prevent them from happening. While that is a large subject for another day, suffice it to say that we must adjust our perspective and look at the long game. And appreciate that God is here for us through everything, giving us the power, the comfort, and the love to conquer all. It isn't that as Christians we won't feel pain, but we should feel better prepared to manage it.

Our confidence in God is all about faith. And our faith is based upon our confidence in God. For us to live the best Christian life, we must have faith in our confidence and confidence in our faith. By doing so, we are equipped to fulfill those two great commandments: love God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself. With confidence, we can put our love for God and our love for our neighbor into action.

Additional readings:

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Psalm 27:13-14

Philippians 3:3-6

Philippians 1:6

Hebrews 11:1