Confidence

Confidence
A funny thing. Can be brought on or tore down in the blink of an eye.
I always felt confidence came easy for me. I wasn't a shy person. I was okay with my body and who I was.
But then I became an adult. I gained weight. I became self conscious. I quit taking full body pics. I used filters. I hid who I was becoming behind baggy shirts and leggings.
My appearance wasn't the only thing to change. My confidence did. My attitude did. My thoughts did. My feelings did. Who I was began to change. I was sad. I was hurt. I was fat. And I was drowning in life overall.
All because of confidence that I lacked.
People began to comment on my weight. The way I wore my clothes. How I acted and so much more. And it began to break me. Every comment that was made would stick with me. Stick on me. I started to wear their words and carry the burden those words held. I became depressed. Upset. I began to distance myself from friends and activities I attended. I became angry. I started fights.
All because my confidence dropped.
I lost who I was.
But despite the dark clouds
Somehow
God still saw me
He saw my worth
He saw my pain
And He still reached out for me
He b egan to open my eyes. These people weren't the evil ones. I know who my Enemy is. And he has no place in my life. I am a child of God!
So I began to pray for the people that said stuff. I wanted to push through. But somehow every step forward I was shoved back on my butt many steps behind. I wanted to give up. Give it all up. I wanted to quit. Never go back to church. Quit my job. Not talk to people. I wanted to be alone. Even when it came to Mac. I began to distance myself from him. The one who lifted me up and made me smile. The one who told me I was beautiful and that he loved me. Even the positive I began to distance myself. And our wedding was quickly approaching and I just wasn't feeling it. How can I feel happy on our wedding day if I didn't feel beautiful?
Then this past Sunday someone was telling a story and the words "give her to her father" came out. And tears flooded my eyes. Give her to her Father.
And then I knew. I knew.
Confidence.
It's a funny thing. But it's not complicated. Confidence comes from us knowing who we are. Whose we are.

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)


I am the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)


I am commissioned to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19,20)


I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life. (John 15:1,5)
I am clean. (John 15:3)
I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit. (John 15:16)

I am a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
I am free from sin and enslaved to God. (Romans 6:22)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Romans 8:14, 15 Galatians 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ, who loves me. (Romans 8:37)
I am a temple...a dwelling place...of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
 I am bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 7:23)
I am called. (1 Corinthians 7:17)
I am a member of Christ’s Body. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30)
I am victorious through Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
I am led by God in triumphal procession. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
I am to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
I am being changed into the likeness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18 
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
I am given strength in exchange for weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
I am a son of God and one in Christ. (Galatians 3:26, 28)
I am Abraham’s seed...an heir of the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God. (Galatians 4:6,7)
I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1; ! Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)
I am without blame before Him. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family. (Ephesians 2:19)
I am righteous and holy. (Ephesians 2:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. (Philippians 3:20 Ephesians 2:6)
I am capable. (Philippians 4:13)
I have been rescued from the domain of Satan’s rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:13)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been cancelled. (Colossians 1:14)


These are all statements of who I am. Not the words spoken of Satan. 

Verses:

Hebrews 10:35-36
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Joshua 1:9
"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.”

Psalm 27:3
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident