Lighter Living: ConfidenceНамуна

The quest of confidence is a pricey one when we follow the world’s example. Literally. With enough money, you no longer have to age and can practically transform every detail of your body. “Vanity is insanity” was said by someone who knew no matter what you put on to feel better, the inner void remains. Of course we know vanity is an empty quest, but with little else to draw from it leaves us envious of those with the perfect lips, latest fashions, and modern homes.

Romans 8 is our call to mental sobriety. A confident life is one that is not imprisoned by constant second guessing, self-disqualifying, or replaying the last conversation in your mind a million times over. The author, Paul, reminds us that we have access to a mindset controlled by the Spirit. Our flesh wants immediate gratification of our latest desire through any measure the world has to offer. Our Spirit longs for a grander reality of unshifting contentment and abundance.

A mindset controlled by the Spirit is a confident mindset, not because of how we look, what we’re good at or how important we are in the world. A mindset controlled by the Spirit is confident because it is the Spirit of our loving God, and it is in us — redeemed, inherited, all-surpassing power and all-knowing purpose.

As we learn to think with our Spirit-mind and expose thought patterns of our flesh, we begin uncovering authentic confidence. This is the way to fuller life and peace.

• What are you doing lately to feel better about yourself?
• Is it freeing you or controlling you? In other words, are you following the flesh or being led by the Spirit?
• How can I begin to love myself the way God loves me?