Anil Sinha, an India-born journalist once remarked: “Confidence is something you acquire in yourself by believing in self-ability with courage and conviction.” Deuteronomy 31:6 confirms: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
The courage of conviction is said to have the confidence to do what is believed to be right, even though other people may not agree or approve. It may involve overcoming personal fear or apprehension in a particular situation or predicament. It not only involves faith in oneself, but the commitment or tenacity to continue, despite obvious doubts or obstacles that may exist.
Psalm 56:1-11 reminds us: “Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Sometimes in life, our courage of conviction may be tested to the full. A situation may occur that we may not conceivably understand, but are forced to proceed, even though we may be unsure whether it is right or wrong. We may have a particular understanding of the correct answer from previous knowledge gleaned, but sometimes uncertainty enters the equation which may create an element of doubt in our thinking. John 8:32 reminds us: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Venus Williams, a female American tennis player once remarked: “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.” Psalm 119:143 confirms: “Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.”
An examination is defined as a formal assessment of a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a particular subject or skill. However, for some, the thought of an upcoming examination, especially if it is considered of extreme importance, whether it be of a written, oral, or practical nature, may become a daunting prospect. Nerves or even fear of failure can overcome every foreseeable prospect of success. Self-confidence may disappear completely and the rational thought process of the mind may come to a standstill. Sudden blindness, caused by the pressure of the situation, may obscure the obvious.
Academic success is often attributed to the results achieved in formal examinations. However, the qualification, or lack of it, if one has failed through the irony of life, may portray little resemblance to the actual aptitude or knowledge of a person. A two or three-hour assessment, or maybe even less, under the stressful conditions that formal testing may impose, which reportedly defines the ability or skill of a person, may in fact be totally unrealistic of a person’s faculty in a particular field.
A statutory driving test, to obtain a full license to drive a car on the public highway, is a shorter, perhaps less typical example of such pressure that may cause simple mistakes or indecisions that may lead to a more dramatic conclusion to occur.
A story is told of an 18-year-old young man who was about to take his driving test for the first time. He had received ten lessons from the driving school that he had attended and had performed well. His instructor felt that he was a good driver and was now ready to attempt the test. He had booked an appointment at the local driving test center.
It was the day of his test and Derek appeared extremely calm and confident. He loved driving and was excited at the thought of becoming a fully qualified driver. His usual instructor was not to hand, as he only worked part-time during the evenings and at the weekend. Derek was fortunate enough to have the chief instructor of the driving school assigned for the one-hour pre-test lesson. He was doing well, but the chief instructor felt that he was too confident in his mannerism. He was flippant of other drivers. As they went through the necessary manoeuvres that he would be tested on, the instructor asked him to perform an emergency stop. “How do you do that?” Derek asked. His instructor was stunned and replied: “Do you mean to tell me that you are about to take your test and have never performed an emergency stop?” “No.” Replied Derek. “Never.”
The instructor explained the procedure and told Derek to drive down a quiet road in order to carry out the exercise. At a certain point, he hit the dashboard of the car with a book that he was holding and Derek applied the footbrake firmly and harshly. The road was wet from the rain and the car skidded all over the road as Derek tried to maintain control. Eventually, it came to a halt. The instructor breathed a sigh of relief and then began to shout at Derek: “You fool, are you trying to kill us both? You should pump the brake in quick succession to achieve a safe emergency stop! Never just apply the footbrake with such prolonged force! You are bound to skid. You put us both in extreme danger. Whoever told you that you were ready to take your test? You stand absolutely no chance of passing. It is a complete waste of your money and my valuable time!” Derek remained silent. Now the fear of the test and his nerves were really beginning to bite. All confidence in his driving ability had been lost. As they arrived at the test center, he was shaking in fear, the instructor told him to try and calm himself and wished him luck.
At the end of the test, Derek was informed that he had passed, with a few advisories. He got out of the car with sheer relief and elation. He ran across the road where his instructor was waiting for him. “Congratulations.” The instructor told him. “I knew that you would pass!” “But...” Derek started. “But nothing.” The instructor replied: “You needed to have an element of doubt in your ability, so that you didn’t remain overconfident. You have learned a valuable lesson. An element of precaution during an assessment of skill, can have a more rewarding outcome. Good luck for the future.” Proverbs 16:18 confirms: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Amen.
