Do you ever get started on a project with the confidence you can handle it, but as you continue working, that confidence begins to diminish? One of the areas where I struggle with this is when assembling something that has instructions set up for several variations of the finished product. As the assembling progresses, I begin to question whether I have put the correct parts on the correct side of each piece to be joined together. I stop and look at the instructions. I look at the pieces. I look at the instructions again. I look at the pieces. Then I look at my wife and declare I am sure the person who put together the instructions never saw the parts or the finished project. Along with my confidence, I may feel like throwing away the instructions and give the job to someone else. Eventually I do get everything assembled properly, but I get frustrated that my confidence in the midst of the project is not as high as it is at the beginning.
Isn’t life that way? We say confidently to God what we aim to do in life in accordance with His will and for His glory. Yet, as time goes on we might feel that confidence beginning to dwindle. It may be that we are looking at too much at once and feel overwhelmed by all the things going on around us. Perhaps it can be likened to looking at the floor covered with all the parts of the thing to be assembled and deciding it doesn’t appear as easy as the picture indicated. However, if the focus is centered on each piece within each step, it isn’t so overwhelming. And that is the way God desires us to accept life; a day at a time as He gives it. He also desires for us to remember the confidence with which we began our relationship with Him and His family. Don’t throw the confidence you have in His way, in His guidance, and in His promises out the window.
The writer of Hebrews addressed Christians who were going through great trials in their walk of faith. As he offered words of encouragement, he reminded them of their earlier days when they had stood firm in the face of suffering, how their willingness to stand with others was a source of encouragement to their brethren, and how through it all they had focused on what lay in store for them in eternity. (Hebrews 10:32-34)
He then went on to exhort. . .
“(35) Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV)
God — Who brought about life — also drew up the instructions for its assembly and progress. The pieces, as He laid them out, all fit in accordance with the pattern He has given. Let us keep His instructions before us. May we also pray for each other to retain the confidence we had from the beginning of surrendering our life to God. Let us not throw that confidence away. Let us encourage each other that it may not diminish as the tasks of life progress. Through perseverance, God’s Will shall be accomplished in our life, and we will receive every one of His blessed promises!
Have a great day RETAINING YOUR CONFIDENCE IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD!
Carl
