The Confident Woman

This morning during my devotional time with God, I asked him to let me hear what His Will was for me today. I wanted to know what He needed me to write about so that I could bless someone with His message. Then, I sat there and listened. The thought popped into my head to scroll Facebook for the first inspirational message and then write about it. He typically prompts me this way, so I opened Facebook and was surprised to see a Memory of mine that popped up about a new book I had gotten a while back by Joyce Meyer, entitled “The Confident Woman”. So I immediately grabbed that book from my book shelf where God led me again. If you are reading this message, it was meant for you!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

If you’ve been following me, you already know my word of the year is “Fearless”, and the first devotional I opened up was entitled “Do it Afraid”. It sounds a little contradictory doesn’t it. There are 100 bible verses about fear and anxiety and clearly He doesn’t want us to fear and asks us to give Him all of our fears and to put our trust in Him. This can be very hard at times, especially when we are going through trials of difficulties.

When I started turning some pages in The Confident Woman, I started to gather a theme and the message that God wanted me to share today. I realized that if I want to make an impact on others, I have to realize that God is with me and is always leading me and I should feel confident because I have His Favor and am covered with His Armor. All I have to be is myself. So whether we do it fearlessly, or we do it afraid, we just need to do it confidently! He knows the road ahead of us and He goes before us and continues to walk with us every step of the way. We need to remember all of those positive affirmations and keep telling ourselves that we are worthy, we are enough, we are empowered, we have His Favor, and He is always working things out for our good. Even though things may seem like they will never get better we have to trust in God and His timing.

Those times when we take the wrong path, and we will, He will turn us around and get us back on track. It may just take us a little longer to get there, but we will get there. When we are in these times of trials, we are growing and learning the entire time and that makes us better people. So embrace the trials for what they are, opportunities to become closer to God. He never promised us that life would be easy. We just need to remain in faith and do it fearlessly or do it afraid, knowing that God has your back! Either way, do it confidently because with God you can’t go wrong. You will meet your goals and live out your dreams when you just stick with it for the duration. Don’t give up!

The Confident Woman Canvas Wall Art by Scott Rohlfs | iCanvas

Fearless – My Word for 2022

For the last several years I’ve been picking a new word for the year to focus on that will help me become a better person through self-development. This year my goal is to become closer yet to God so that I can clearly hear His Voice and recognize more of His signs that are leading me on His chosen path for me. So when the opportunity to join a new study course with my new church came up, called Rooted, I thought that would be the perfect word for my focus. I’m so excited to be taking this with my boyfriend, where we can both grow together and embrace what we are learning together.

Then as I was doing some self reflection, it became clear that I am already rooted with God and my real focus needs to be doing what He is leading me to do fearlessly! It was then that I changed my word for 2022 to “Fearless”! You see, we all have self-doubt. We don’t believe that we are good enough, strong enough, pretty enough, or have the knowledge, or money it takes to make our dreams come true. What we need to do instead is change our way of thinking, so I did a little research on just what it means to be Fearless. The Webster Dictionary defines Fearless as, “Free from fear: Brave” and ties to that more adjectives such as: bold, courageous, intreped, valiant, valorous, gallant, spirited, heroic, daring, etc.

Then I turned to the Bible and found that there are 100 bible verses relating to fear. One of my top favorite verses is Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Fearless is a great trait to have, but fearlessness is the next level beyond confidence. One of the definitions of confidence, “is a feeling or belief that someone or something is good or has the ability to succeed at something.” When you put your confidence in God, know in your heart that He will strengthen you. He will help you. He will uphold you. He is for you and will always be with you. So I urge you as well to fearlessly take that next step forward into the unknown with faith, even when you are uncertain of the outcome. Know that with God you can live your dreams, build bridges to places that you can’t see, and take chances others wouldn’t even imagine.

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Here’s a few more verses I found comforting:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6