And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Confidence defined:
- Belief or trust in somebody or something, or in the ability of somebody or something to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner.
It is so important for us to have confidence in God. Many people may think that when you become a Christian that this happens automatically but it does not. Human experience can often-times interfere with our confidence. For instance if a person had trust issues prior to being born-again due to failed relationships such as abandonment through divorce or neglect through improper parenting from childhood, it may be difficult not impossible, for them to immediately trust God with every area of their lives. They truly love God but they need detoxifying of their soul (mind, will and emotions) and body from the hurtful incidences of their past. Trust is established through experience. If someone tells you they will be there for you when you need them then when opportunity arises they fail to come through this can cause disappointment which in turn nurtures insecurities and cultivates mistrust. When a baby is born there is a phase of normal growth and development called trust versus mistrust. If trust is to be established in that child's life they must experience repeated positive interactions with the one in whom the trust is to be established with. This has to be done on a consistent basis to form a sort of bond with the other person. The child learns to trust or mistrust you based on your response to their needs. If you are consistent to come and attend to their needs when they cry they begin to trust and rely on you above all others. When they see your face come into a room they get so excited because they trust you and they know you will protect them, feed them, change them, comfort them, etc. Some of these things you may have never even done for them yet but because of your consistent positive response in other areas of their lives they trust you to be the same regarding new adventures as well.
God is trustworthy. But the best way to establish trust in any relationship is by experience. You can say that you trust God because of what you've heard Him do for others but nothing compares to your own experiences with God, they become priceless as you grow and develop in your relationship with God.
Another way that we can begin to develop confidence in God is through consistent meditation in His Word. God's Word is alive, it is spirit, it is life. The Word of God has the ability to create supernatural knowledge and understanding in your spirit and soul to the point where you begin to know God in ways you have never known Him before through spiritual intimacy and fellowship. This kind of relationship is obtained through spiritual hunger and diligent seeking. His Word creates the bond of trust through the supernatural unveiling of who He is.
Trust and/or confidence promotes dependency. When you trust God you will begin to depend on Him for everything. You will come to Him for anything and involve Him in all things. You begin to understand and take full advantage of His love for you. You know without a shadow of a doubt that He will withhold nothing good from you. You become bold and confident in prayer knowing that your will is to do His will. Your confidence is unshakable concerning the Father. You know that He loves you and that He hears you and that He answers you.
Amen*
ReplyDelete