L. Jean Dunn

Definition of Confidence:
A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. A belief in one’s ability to succeed.
The state of feeling certain about the truth of something.
Hebrews 10:35-37: “Cast not away therefor your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. For ye hath need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
As an entrepreneur I live in the world of self-confidence. I look at investors in the eye and tell them that our business will reach its objectives. I tell customers that our products are the best solution for their needs and we can deliver. I am a cheerleader to our employees, encouraging them to move forward and not doubt their abilities. “You can do it. We’re going to make it.”
But in reality, I have no idea. I have no idea if sales will close. I do not really know if our products will work for our customers. I have no idea as to whether we will meet our financial objectives. As I lay in bed at night or wander around the house I have my doubts. I pray for more self-confidence. I try to find it in books, seminars and articles. It has always proved to be short lived and ephemeral.
Lately, I have discovered that perhaps I have been looking for confidence in the wrong places. More importantly, perhaps I was using the wrong definition of the word. Confidence comes not from the belief in one’s capabilities, but from one’s belief about the truth. That truth comes from God. His Son has promised that he will be with us always. Whether we hit our financial objectives or not. Whether someone buys the product or not. I have no doubt that He is with me. And of greater importance is the fact that “He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to his power that is at work in me (Ephesians 3:20).”
So whatever questions, whatever doubts that creep in I know that God is with me and He can do more than I have ever dreamed. My confidence comes from my belief in Him and, if I continue on, I will receive the promise. No matter what happens, “Everything gonna be alright,” as Bob Marley has sung. I am on the winning team. God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)
A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. A belief in one’s ability to succeed.
The state of feeling certain about the truth of something.
Hebrews 10:35-37: “Cast not away therefor your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. For ye hath need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
As an entrepreneur I live in the world of self-confidence. I look at investors in the eye and tell them that our business will reach its objectives. I tell customers that our products are the best solution for their needs and we can deliver. I am a cheerleader to our employees, encouraging them to move forward and not doubt their abilities. “You can do it. We’re going to make it.”
But in reality, I have no idea. I have no idea if sales will close. I do not really know if our products will work for our customers. I have no idea as to whether we will meet our financial objectives. As I lay in bed at night or wander around the house I have my doubts. I pray for more self-confidence. I try to find it in books, seminars and articles. It has always proved to be short lived and ephemeral.
Lately, I have discovered that perhaps I have been looking for confidence in the wrong places. More importantly, perhaps I was using the wrong definition of the word. Confidence comes not from the belief in one’s capabilities, but from one’s belief about the truth. That truth comes from God. His Son has promised that he will be with us always. Whether we hit our financial objectives or not. Whether someone buys the product or not. I have no doubt that He is with me. And of greater importance is the fact that “He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to his power that is at work in me (Ephesians 3:20).”
So whatever questions, whatever doubts that creep in I know that God is with me and He can do more than I have ever dreamed. My confidence comes from my belief in Him and, if I continue on, I will receive the promise. No matter what happens, “Everything gonna be alright,” as Bob Marley has sung. I am on the winning team. God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)