God Doesn’t Make Junk
Ethel Walters
Always
remember that we are the most precious creation of God. Unlike other creatures,
we are rational, emotional and spiritual beings. God even entrusted us to take
care of the rest of His creations. These are just some of so many reasons why
we should be proud of ourselves and have this confidence to live life the way
He wanted us to be. In my last blog post, I’ve shown you 4 of the 8
characteristics in boosting your Confidence: Conviction, Possibility, Faith and Strength. Now this is the Part 2
of Norman Vincent Peale’s Confidence, which
will be sharing these remaining four qualities:
HARMONY
No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.
– 1 Corinthians 2:9
There
is no greater victory in life than when you know that you are more than equal
to any difficulties that come your way. The philosopher William James said, “Be
not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will
help create the fact.” When you are in loving harmony with God, then
uncertainty and self-doubt melt away. How can you achieve this happy condition?
– By applying creative thinking to unpleasant or defeating circumstances. The
first step is to believe that I have
what it takes to change them. Then I must humbly surrender myself to God,
seeking his wisdom and guidance. Then I must work at the problem, sometimes
through pain and suffering. First believe, then surrender, then work. These
three actions will combine dynamically to effect positive change.
HUMILITY
Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s
help. – Psalm 27:14
A
good friend of mine asked that I talk to his son who was failing out of
college. The young man proceeded to tell me at great length what was wrong with
his teachers. I never heard of such poor bunch of professors in all my life!
Finally I said, “Bill, it seems to me the first thing you must do is get a
little humility.” After we prayed about this, Bill looked at me and said,
“O.K., I’m getting the message. The fault is all mine.” It is always a good
beginning to stop blaming others for your failures. But Bill grew despondent.
“I have so many faults,” he moaned.
I brought him a
pad and pencil and told him to list on one sheet all his negatives and on
another, all his positives. The second sheet would include all the qualities
that represented him as he would like to be. When he got his lists done, I
asked him to put the first one away. “That’s the old Bill,” I told him. Then I
suggested he fold up the positive sheet, keep it handy and read it a dozen
times a day
Few
years later, Bill graduated in the top third of his class and got a good job.
He still carried the positive sheet in his pocket and consulted it to make sure
he was measuring up. He kept the negative one in his desk and, gradually, was
crossing out his failures as he overcame them. He said, “Don’t worry I’m not
going to get cocky. I know it was God who gave me the strength.” And so God
had, but only after Bill had dismissed his negatives and concentrated on his
positives.
PARTNERSHIP
He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who
are weak. – Isaiah 40:29
Many
of us, unhappily, have not done a very good job with the original material God
built into us. We see others who we think are more gifted, smarter, better
looking and who have had better luck. We doubt our strengths and abilities. Too
often self-doubt prevents people from living abundantly.
If
this is your condition, you can change it. Daily say to yourself: “God is now,
this very moment, leading me into confident living. He is turning my weakness
into strength. He has faith in me.” See yourself as God sees you. Remember he
has created you in His image. Everyday picture yourself as a person created in
God’s image. Think of God and you joint partners in reaching all the potential
that he has already wired into you. Cultivate a sound, humble awareness of the
qualities within yourself that make for strength and power. Since God believes
in you as your Creator and acts as your full Partner, how can you not succeed?
MODESTY
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it
is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Jesus
was born in a stable for a reason. It was God’s choice for his son to be a man
of people and to live modestly. Jesus was comfortable among all, but he chose
ordinary people to help him deliver the Good News. And what was the central
message of this Good News? – Love. Read chapter 13 of Corinthians to learn all
the power and qualities of love and, in particular, which is “not proud”.
There
is an inevitable and marvelous connection between modesty and confidence. If
you want to live confidently, be modest about your circumstances, no matter how
high or low. For the content man “does not brag and is not proud.” And God
loves him.
Just
the other day, I saw my friend, Jogab, posted something on his Wall on Facebook
saying, “pahinge ng self-esteem.” Well Jogab, I wish you could read this blog,
and hope this might help you in a way. These are just some of the secrets in
life that can be revealed once you put God in the center of your life. But
remember, having too much of something is not good, and I believe this has been
a universal thought. Too much intake of a certain medicine can lead you to
overdose; too much cholesterol can lead to heart problems; too much liquor can even
cause you to vomit; and so forth. We should maintain the sense of control and
contentment in ourselves, and remain in constant communication with God.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes
in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will
never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
Lastly, Confidence
in Life is just the same as Confidence in God. Always remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE;
therefore, put your confidence not in yourself nor to others, but in God. Confidence is just one of many things
God wants us to have, and I dare you to
be all you can be.
Testimony: God showed me the way to a
confident living.
Life Lesson: You cannot run your world
alone.
Godly Passion: Have a sense of Harmony,
Humility, Partnership, and Modesty.
Good News: Believers are saved.
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