Need A Confidence Boost?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1 - 58 (cf. verses 19 - 51; Philippians 4:4-7

Title: Need A Confidence Boost?

Theme: Gaining Self-Confidence through God

Proposition: David reveals to us how we can have a better self-esteem and more self-confidence. In Christ we can possess: 1. An Affirmative Attitude 2. Proper Perspective 3. We can Negate the Negatives 4. Assuming God's Armor of Victory!

INTRO:

Grace and peace from God our Father and from His Son Jesus Christ who came to take away the sins of the world!

Any parent that has a pre-teen or a teenager can tell you, one of the most difficult things to do is to help them possess a healthy self-esteem and self-confidence. Perhaps that is true regardless of age. We all know that it is difficult at times to keep our self-esteem at a high level and maintain a healthy self-confidence. A healthy self-confidence is one in which you are neither arrogant nor self-sufficient. A healthy self-confidence is knowing who you are in the Lord Jesus Christ and then daily living in the power and might of his Holy Spirit.

In recent studies involving thousands of people across the United States it was discovered that each year nearly 75% of all people ( more so with females) suffer a period of low self- esteem and self-confidence. That study included people from all walks of life, including those who were highly educated to those who had very little education at all. It included those whose offices could be found at the corners of 500 Fortune companies to those who find their beds on the benches of local public parks. People everywhere suffer from times of low self-esteem and low self-confidence.

Let's pause and think about that for a moment - 75% of Americans each and every year suffer from a period of experiencing low self-esteem and/or low self-confidence. It's a time when they are not sure that they even deserve to be happy or even have peace of mind. It's a time when they suffer from a lack of energy, brain power and good mental health. It is a time when everything looks dreary, dark and foreboding.

According to Dr. Joe Rubino in his book, The Self-Esteem Book, the problem of low self-esteem is global. Dr. Rubino estimates that nearly 85% of the world is affected by a periods of low self-esteem during their lifetime. Therefore, low self esteem and low self-confidence is not an American problem, it is a human problem.

What if anything can be done about this? Is it just a part of being human living in a broken world? Is there some magic pill that we should all be taking? Is this really how God intends for billions of people to live each year - having to deal with extended periods of low self-esteem and low self-confidence? It is easy during those down times to start whining and feeling like the whole world is against you. It easy during those down times to think that you are the only one who is getting all the bad breaks. It's easy during those time to go into full blown depression which of course only exacerbates the problem.

I do not believe that is the life that God nor His Holy Word desires for any of to experience. Jesus clearly tells us in John chapter 10:10 that "I am come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly ". He came to redeem us, renew us and restore us into his own image. Jesus came so that we could experience a life free from the penalty of sin and the power of sin. Jesus came for us to a life anointed with his Holy Spirit.

I believe this morning that through the infilling power of God's Holy Spirit it is possible for us to live a wonderfully victorious life. I sincerely believe that the more one grows in Christ the more one can and should experience the abundant life. Does it mean we will never have low moments? Does it mean that we will never have down times that affect our self-esteem and self-confidence? Does it mean that we will never have to face difficult trials and temptations? Of course not. However, I take Paul's words to heart when he tells us that "in Christ I can do all things" (Philippians 4:13). And I believe that part of "all things" is making sure that our down times are as minimal as possible. I also believe that part of that "all things" means that in Christ we can rise above the brokenness of a fallen world.

I also strongly believe that we need to help those who do suffer from extended periods of low self-esteem and low self-confidence. We need to be their encouragers. intercessors and companions. I believe we need to assist them in seeking sound professional medical advice. Environment, genetics, diet, life situations along with health issues can cause any of us to experience long periods of low self-esteem and low self-confidence. If we begin to experience those times we should never be ashamed or feel guilty. Instead we should seek help. It is at those time that all of us are called to be Jesus to one another. It is during those times we are called to bear one another's burdens and intercede for one another (Galatians 6:2).