To answer the question of “who is the most confident person I know”, I look to a short, bow-legged guy in shackles who wrote letters around 2,000 years ago.

If Paul was podcasting or hosting workshops for men in 60 AD, his words would be bold: “Hey guys, I have the secret! Do you want to be empowered to face anything and everything in life well and remain content? I know how.”

Paul knew trouble–he faced beating, abuse, hunger, shipwreck, and even stoning. While writing the letter in which this passage is found, he was in prison. And yet even there, he can say that he, in any circumstance or situation, whether good, bad, or terrible, knows how to be empowered and infused with inner strength to endure, prevail, and remain content. Now here is a confident man!

What’s his secret? It sounds simple, but I had to dive into understanding his source. Hang in here-even if you aren’t spiritual, you may find something in this.

“Through Christ”

Here’s what I have learned:

Paul’s insight speaks into every kind of hard circumstance a man experiences or faces–loss, grief, divorce, etc.

His inner empowerment is relational, not materially-based or circumstantial.

The strength (a.k.a. confidence) he gained was derived from who the relationship was founded in–not self-driven.

The closer we are to Jesus, the steadier we can remain when life hits hard, and the more content we will be and confident in Him we will become.

Joy, peace, confidence and contentment are linked: when you experience joy from a close relationship with Jesus, you can also experience contentment in the peace of that relationship, regardless of your circumstances, and be confident in His goodness.

Paul is confident because he understands real contentment is rooted in a relationship. It is not self-driven, but relationally supplied by One who truly has the power to supply all that we need–Jesus.

Being united with Jesus Christ offers real peace, internal strength, and endurance to face our circumstances with confidence and remain content. This doesn’t mean you will always feel that way, or that the pain, suffering, or circumstances will go away–but they no longer have their controlling power because of Jesus’s victory.

Men, we are invited to participate in a life empowered in abiding with Jesus, where our minds can be given new perspectives, our hearts can be given strength, our souls can find contentment, and we can be confident, because of his Spirit living and working in us.

This world needs men who are truly confident. Not in themselves, but in the One who is more powerful than our feelings or our circumstances. This world needs men who are rooted, perserving, and steady, no matter what they are facing or what is happening around them.

Do you want to be a man who can face anything and remain confident and content?
Look to Jesus to lead you–He is greater!

I know this personally–He is the source I need to be truly confident. 

Moving Forward

No matter where you are at or what you are facing, ask yourself these questions:

What is your source of confidence?
Is it greater than the situation you are in?
Will it last longer than your circumstances? Does it bring you peace?

———————-

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Alex Gerber

Host and Writer

http://www.movingforwardcontent.com