Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not. ~ Hebrews 11:1
I had a realization this morning. I woke up to a dream of someone calling me saying, “We would like to offer you the position,” and thought, okay. I hope they call today. It didn’t feel surreal; It didn’t feel imagined; It simply felt normal.
Yes, perhaps I have been dreaming and hoping and wishing I’d get that call, but even after I received the dreaded email last night from a different prospect that said, “We have selected a field of finalists whose qualifications more closely match those required of the position,” I still held to the fact that I am highly qualified and knowledgeable in the field of writing and digital communications (whether this person thought so or not) AND God has a plan for my life that involves a stable, encouraging career where I can grow and thrive.
Now, on to the title…
Faith is the act of believing something that has not yet come to pass. Confidence, on the other hand, is believing that you hold the key to whatever challenge or circumstance that may come your way. The difference? In my opinion, not much.
Secular belief systems do not give God credit for good that comes into their lives. Instead, they credit luck, hard work and confidence in their abilities (through skill, talent and experience). When you modify the aforementioned recipe to include prayer and substitute confidence with faith and luck with God’s plan, you have the successful Christian’s version of confidence.
Of course, both recipes includes measures of planning, preparation and execution, but all in all, it is my confidence (faith in myself and God’s plan for my life) that will guide me to my next work endeavor. Wait, did I just use confidence in place of faith? Oops.
If you don’t have confidence, you cannot have faith. If your faith is lacking, check your confidence. This is my morning realization. God rewards faith, and confidence makes it happen.
*Note: Faith and confidence are not to be confused with pride
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