Confidence

What Happens Next?

Photo by Tien Vu Ngoc on Unsplash

In a recent GriefShare meeting, we talked about the reality of fear following the death of a loved one. There are many questions we begin to ask ourselves. If this terrible loss could happen in my life, then what could happen next?

I remember that feeling after 9-11, don’t you? The Twin Towers, the Pentagon, United Flight 93 … and then we all held our breath. Many of us were certain that this was only the beginning. It took a few days (terror-filled days) to begin to think that there was not going to be another imminent attack on our homeland.

Maybe we have several “9-11” moments in our lives. Death. Cancer. Divorce. Unexpected financial losses. Lost jobs, lost friends, or lost trust. These can rob us of our confidence in our daily lives.

“Don’t give into your fears, if you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart. ~Paulo Coelho

Taking the next steps after a loss of confidence can be scary. I can’t even imagine what kind of circumstances would cause me to walk across that bridge in the picture above. Some days feel like that, though. There are many things that can make us feel like we are walking on a rope bridge with rotted timbers.

• Regrets from our past mistakes.

• Failures that keep us from trying again.

• Hurt and/or abuse from others that leaves us feeling vulnerable.

• Anxiety that crushes our efforts and leaves us paralyzed.

• Fear of rejection by those we regard highly.

When I read the Apostle Paul’s travels and experiences in the New Testament, I am amazed at his courage, resilience, and faith. He seems like a Super-Disciple who can’t be stopped. But if that is what we see, we are not looking close enough. Listen to him speak of the source of his confidence.

• We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. - 2 Corinthians 1:12

• That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. - Colossians 1:29

• Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. - Romans 15:30-31

• For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. - Philippians 1:19

• I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. - 2 Corinthians 11:30-31

There are other expressions of Paul’s need of prayer, his desire to be prayed for, the fact that he brought along companions on his journey, the physical strain under which he lived for the Lord, and his acknowledgment that whatever he accomplished was nothing compared to his need for Christ. I think that gives us insight into overcoming the fears that build up in our minds over time.

The Bible has a lot to say about not living in fear, but the basis of that teaching is the presence, love, grace, and mercy of God. We do not walk alone through the valleys of our lives - not even when our fears become prominent in our thinking.

The Prodigal feared that his Father would reject him as a son, so he offered to be a slave. I wonder if he thought he was strategic in coming up with a desperate plan like that. But that’s not the plan that the Father had for his son who returned with fear and trembling.

And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him…. ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. - Luke 15:20-24, NLT

I just want to encourage you when your confidence sinks, fear creeps in, anxiety overwhelms … to remember that the real question is not, “What’s Next?”

The real question is Who’s Here? And our Abba Father says, “I am.”

I love Don Moen’s song, Be Strong and Take Courage.