5 Days of 5-Minute Devotions for Teen GirlsSample

Elusive Confidence

"Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, “God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” " HEBREWS 13:5–6 THE MESSAGE

Don’t we all wish we could feel more confident in ourselves? Self-doubt follows us wherever we go, ready to tap us on the shoulder at a moment’s notice and remind us that we’re not quite good enough. Let me reveal a well-kept secret: confidence doesn’t come with age. That’s right. Adult women struggle with confidence each and every day. As you grow through your teenage years, confidence might become harder and harder to find. Gone are the innocent days of being a kid, when no one cared about how you looked, what clothes you wore, or where you were from. Now you care how people perceive you, and that is something that isn’t going to go away with graduation.

Confidence is slippery, isn’t it? Maybe you can fake it until you make it and force everyone to believe you have it together. But most of us can’t fake confidence.

It’s so hard to feel like we’re good enough when everything in our world is shouting at us that we aren’t. I had braces for five years during my junior high and high school years. I didn’t get them off until right before my senior year. I was so embarrassed about my braces. I never wanted to smile. I cried in the bathroom when I knew picture day was coming up. The fear of what people whispered about me consumed me. Now I realize they probably didn’t care in the least that I had braces. They were too consumed with their own self-doubts. But it really mattered to me.

I wish I could just go back in time and give that fifteen-year-old girl a hug. It’s okay to have self-doubt. We all have it. But the truth is that confidence comes when we embrace who we are. In today’s verse, the writer of Hebrews says, “I’m fearless no matter what” because “God is there, ready to help.” Fearlessness and confidence are good buddies. Love who you are. You are so incredibly special.

Dear Lord, thank You for making me just the way I am. Please help me learn how to love all my rough edges. True confidence comes from You. Amen.