Confidence

As we live our daily lives, we generally accomplish better results when we pursue an activity with confidence. If the activities are of a physical nature, we may have confidence due to our previous training or experience. This is a dangerous place where pride can engulf us. With any activity, we need to be confronted with the realization that we do not have all knowledge and we can (and must) learn something from every endeavor. We must also learn that many opinions and conclusions may be true for only ourselves; other people may have different and valid conclusions for their lives. This is especially true for our spiritual lives. Each one who has accepted Jesus is now on an individual spiritual journey. Others may advise or support, but this journey is one's unique journey, as specific as their background, to date. The most confident advice we can accept or give needs to some from the Holy Spirit who lives with us. It is this residence which is empowering and transforming us continuously along our spiritual journey. "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." - 2 Cor. 3:4-6 (NIV)