Scriptures for a Christ-Centered Confidence

Where Does Confidence Come From?

I remember being in middle school and trying to figure out how to be confident. How to confidently play sports, pass tests, and ask out girls. I failed at all of it. Confidence just wasn’t something I had as a kid.

Long story short, that lack of confidence was part of what led me into depression, and that depression led to suicidal thoughts. But before I ever acted on them, I found Christ, the real source of confidence.

Here’s the truth: everyone is looking for confidence. We look for it in how we look, how we perform, how we carry ourselves, how we parent, and so much more. We search for it in positive self-talk, in our resume, and in comparing ourselves to people we think are doing worse than us. None of it, and I mean none of it, produces real, lasting confidence.

So where does confidence come from? It comes from Christ!

In my message “A Confident Life,” I talked about how Paul tells us that rejoicing in God’s word over and over is a safeguard for us (Philippians 3:1). So I want to share some of the verses I’ve leaned on to build my confidence in Christ as a safeguard, in hopes that they help you do the same.

Confident in God’s approval, not people’s

When we live for the approval of others, our confidence is always up for grabs. When we live for God’s approval, it’s secure.

• Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
• Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
• Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Confident in your heart, not your appearance

Our culture is obsessed with how we look. God is focused on who we are.

• 1 Samuel 16:7 When Samuel went to anoint the next king of Israel, Jesse didn’t even bring his son David out because of how he looked. But God said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• 1 Peter 3:3-4 (one of my favorites for teenage girls) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
• Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Confident because God is with you

You don’t have to walk into anything alone.

• Proverbs 3:26 for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
• Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Confident in His strength, not yours

Real confidence doesn’t come from being enough. It comes from knowing Christ is.

• 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
• Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
• Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.

Confident in who you are in Christ

Your past doesn’t define you. Jesus does.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
• Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Confident to come to God

Because of Jesus, you never have to wonder if you’re welcome.

• Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
• Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
• 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Don’t throw it away

That kid in middle school had no idea where to find confidence. I’m so thankful Jesus found me. Whatever has been stealing your confidence, it doesn’t get the final word. Keep coming back to God’s Word, and let it remind you who you are and whose you are.

Hebrews 10:35-36 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.