Confidence Never Fully Ripens

AttitudeI have faced a number of harsh Confidence Conflicts this week. I sometimes wish I had never named my new book Confident Beauty, because it is a constant reminder that if I wrote the book on it, I better be it! Some things are easier taught than lived. Confidence is an emotion more than it is a character trait and on the days we don’t feel loved we must make it a choice. Beauty is fleeting, and on the days we feel ugly, we must remember that imperfection and vulnerability is more inviting than perfection.

As I sit to write this blog, it is vulnerability that I find myself wrestling with. “I don’t want to put my heart out there anymore! Who am I to try and encourage others anyway? Right now I feel despised and defeated and I just want to hide–or prove myself–and neither of those attitudes portray confidence or beauty.”

I hate to admit it, but I know the right thing to do.

I’ve been in this place so many times that I would be a fool to deny God’s heart toward me (and you!). “My child, it’s not about you having your act together, it’s about Me helping you in the process of maturing and you inspiring others with your growth. When you think your fruit is ripe, you become prideful. After ripe comes rot. Do not forget the heart’s struggle with what you have been called to teach or your efforts to help others will be as a resounding gong and a clanging symbol. Spoiled fruit makes people sick.”

A good teacher must remain a student; I get that. True confidence never ripens completely, or it becomes arrogance. So once again, I swallow some humble pie and tell the World Wide Web what am I still struggle to learn:

  • When people fail you, keep doing what is right.
  • When they judge you, remember they are not your mirrors.
  • When you feel down and discouraged worship the One Who loves you unconditionally.
  • And don’t forget, He loves them unconditionally, too.

 Jesus, I can’t understand how your love for us can be so deep that you would suffer a brutal death to pay for our sin. I’m sorry for hurting those that hurt me. Please forgive me and fill me with your love so that I can be more like you. Thank you that I can be confident in Your grace, which is more than enough to sustain me in my weaknesses. Amen.

*****

Catrina Welch is an image- and life-coach whose message is not as much “what not to wear” as it is, “Know Who You Are,” which is the title of her book of guidelines for your personal image identity. Catrina has also written a Bible study to help women overcome their confidence conflicts; it is titled Supreme MakeOver: a Rich and Refreshing Devotional Experience. Her other books include Footprints Through the Sand: a Consolidation of Life-altering stories about Loving and Losing our Trisomy-18 Baby and Confident Beauty: Reflecting the One Who Made You with the Images in Your Mirror and Your Soul, which will be available in book stores this spring. All of these books are available now at www.CatrinaWelch.com

 


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