For most of my life I’ve struggled with self-confidence. I was a very insecure child and teenager, though my roles in serving the Lord often called for me to be in front of people. I’ve been on stage since the child, as a performing magician, and then began public speaking nationally at the age of fifteen years old. Even to this day as I serve as a lead preaching pastor and I still struggle with confidence. There are many times I get nervous before embarking upon the stage. In fact, I pray often, “Lord give me the power of your Holy Spirit… And help me not wet my pants” (seriously).
As a certified biblical counselor, I often say that I am not fan of the phrase “self-confidence.” It’s a false premise for Christians. Why would you want to have confidence in yourself? We know as Christians there’s nothing good in us. Anything that is good in us comes from Christ’s work in our life. I don’t want confidence in myself, I’d rather have confidence in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I teach those I counsel that we should not long for self-confidence but for Christ-confidence.
The following is a list of my top ten favorite verses related to confidence— not in self— but in Christ. If you’re struggling with self-confidence, I’m sure these verses will be a great help to you. I encourage you to think about them, meditate upon them, memorize them, and study them further. As you do, I will trust the Holy Spirit will increase your confidence in Christ.
My Top 10 Bible Verses for Self-Confidence:
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
Joshua 1:9, “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.”
Jeremiah 17:7, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
Proverbs 3:25-26, “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 3:12, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Hebrews 13:6, “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?'”
Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
I have been struggling with being confident to pray out loud.
God will help you and see you through. Be encouraged, you are not alone!
Yes you’re not along. I had so much confidence until one day I had a mini stroke. It looks like I lost my confidence it is so hard for me to get my beautiful smile back. I keep saying to myself that I AM STILL HERE AND THAT GOD HAVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE IN LIFE. I am always looking in the Bible for key words and I read that GOD SAYS PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HIM NOT YOUR ON MINE.
I don’t know if you still struggle with this but read Ephesians 3:12 again! “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” God has given you the ability and blessing of confidence before Him. He longs to hear your voice in prayer. <3
You are not the only one who struggles to pray out loud I do to but I know that God hasn’t given us the sprit of fear it’s the devil that wants us not to give glory to God so let our prayer be is that we both start say God help us to pray out loud so you will receive the glory and help us to be bold for you.
I know this is true brcause my God is my confidence
I don’t go to Church, but I do pray everyday on my way to work and before bed ( when I don’t fall asleep or forget -please forgive me Lord” ). I also started to read the Bible but I find it so much easier to understand and learn by looking up different subjects and what the Bible says about it. This website is fantastic, thank you Josh! God Bless
May not be on topic but maybe you can recommend a good book. Boasting of my weakness doesn’t seem great as a dating strategy. Seems that women are attracted to confidence which is tricky when there’s nothing good in me. Or what good their is is attributable to Christ.
Have you read the book By call Good Morning Holy Spirit
Good Morning Holy Spirit ?
Thank you for the post! I’m a current college student who’s been looking more into my faith. I’m glad that you acknowledged the difference between self-confidence and confidence in God. It helped me get a better picture of which way I need to go. Thanks again!
Thank you for the compilation of declarations. I am the Boldlion that God says I am, we believers are Prov 28:1.
The wisest man who ever lived on earth said that he only says what he hears his Father says and only does what he sees his Father does. That sounds like quiet confidence to me. I love it.