Living On Purpose In Christ | Boundaries, Devotions, Positive Affirmations, Bible Study, Christian, Faith, Scripture

67 | Faith vs. Confidence: Which Drives Your Next Move?

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Have you ever felt invisible, inadequate, or caught in an endless cycle of comparison? That nagging voice of insecurity can creep into our hearts, whispering lies that make us question our worth and purpose. But what if true confidence isn't something you need to manufacture on your own strength?

This transformative episode explores the radical truth that confidence for Christians isn't about having it all together—it's about knowing who holds us together. We dive deep into Scripture, examining how to trade fear for faith, shame for grace, and exhausting self-effort for rest in who God says you are. Through Philippians 1:6, we discover how to trust God's completion of what He's begun in us, and through Isaiah 49, we embrace the beautiful reality that we are engraved on His hands.

Together, we explore practical ways to silence those negative voices that feed insecurity. You'll learn how to incorporate aromatherapy (specifically frankincense essential oil) as a powerful tool to center your thoughts and emotions during spiritual practice. We walk through a step-by-step process of identifying the lies you've believed, replacing them with God's truth, and stepping out in faith even when confidence feels distant. Most importantly, you'll discover that you don't need to wait until you feel confident to step into what God has for you—confidence builds as you walk with the One who never changes.

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever felt like you're not good enough, invisible or stuck in comparison? If so, you're not alone in this struggle. Insecurity can sneak into our hearts, whispering lies that make us doubt our worth, second-guess our purpose and question our value in the eyes of others, and sometimes even in the eyes of God. But here's the good news. Confidence isn't something you have to manufacture. It's something you receive. Confidence for Christians isn't about having it all together. It's about knowing who holds us together. It's not about self-promotion. It's about spirit-anchored identity. It's about trading fear for faith, shame for grace and striving for rest in the truth of who God says you are.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. We're all just doing our best in this journey of faith. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you ready to infuse your spiritual journey with a peace-filled confidence? I'd like to invite you to consider investing just one hour with me to deepen your faith and nurture your spiritual growth. In your Aroma of Christ coaching hour, you will discover how to craft a personalized devotional routine, incorporate essential oils into your spiritual practices, enjoy success and effectiveness, create a tracking plan for consistency and learn how you can experience your quiet time with God, not just as a routine but as a joyous journey. Schedule your call now at paulabehrens. com, that's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S dot com.

Paula Behrens:

All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in. Did you know that you don't have to wait until you feel confident to step into what God has for you? That's right. You get to build confidence one day at a time, by walking with the One who never changes. So find a peaceful spot where you can focus and feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And remember he's not asking you to be perfect, he's just asking you to believe in Him.

Paula Behrens:

Today, as we build on last week's journey of a faith-fueled confidence, we will walk through a process of healing, renewing and becoming. You'll dive into Scripture, receive biblical teaching and reflect on questions designed to help you uproot insecurity and rebuild your identity on a firm foundation. We'll focus on renewing our minds with the truth of God's word, releasing shame, comparison and fear, while rebuilding confidence that's rooted in who God says you are realigning with your purpose and your calling, rising up to shine your light with boldness and grace. Today's focus is on moving from insecurity to faith. Let's start by opening our Bibles to Philippians 1. 6, Paul writes, "I am confident of this that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ."

Paula Behrens:

Your confidence grows when you trust that God is not finished with you. He will complete what he started. Take a moment to reflecti on this truth. What has God begun in you that you need to trust him to finish? Maybe it's a dream, a calling or a relationship. Perhaps it's a process of healing or growth. Whatever it is, God is faithful to complete. It Isn't that amazing. As you ponder this, consider what it means to release control and to trust his timeline. In our fast-paced world we often want things to happen on our schedule, right, but God's ways are higher than our ways and his timing is perfect. When we surrender our need for control and trust in his goodness, we can rest in the confidence that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8. 28).

Paula Behrens:

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the noise around us. But Jesus reminds us, "my sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me." This verse is a powerful reminder that, amidst the chaos, we can tune into the loving, affirming voice of our Savior. God's voice is often a gentle whisper, yet it has the power to heal, affirm and call us forward into the purpose he has for our lives. But all too often we find ourselves listening to that negative voice, right, the one that tries to drown out God's truth. The voice of comparison may whisper that we don't measure up to others. The voice of fear may hold us back from stepping out in faith and pursuing the dreams God has placed in our hearts. These voices are not from God, but from the enemy, who seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

Paula Behrens:

Take another moment now to pause and reflect. What negative voices have you been listening to lately? What lies have you been believing about yourself? Maybe it's the lie that you're not good enough or that you'll never be able to achieve your goals? Maybe it's the insecurity that tells you that you're not worthy of love and acceptance?

Paula Behrens:

As you contemplate these questions, I invite you to reach for your bottle of Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil. Place one drop in the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, cup them over your nose and mouth and breathe in the calming, grounding aroma, allowing it to center your thoughts and your emotions. As you inhale the soothing scent, ask God to reveal to you the negative voices you need to stop listening to. Ask him to replace those lies with his truth about who you are in him. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are loved with an everlasting love. You are more than a conqueror, through Christ, who loves you.

Paula Behrens:

In the stillness of this moment, commit to tuning out the negative voices and tuning into the voice of your loving shepherd. As you go about your day. Keep your frankincense oil close at hand. Whenever you feel those negative voices creeping in, take a moment to breathe in its calming aroma and remind yourself of God's truth. Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Well then, you are a beloved child of God, created for a purpose. Don't let the enemy's lies hold you back any longer. Invite God to speak his truth over you. What is he saying about your worth, your identity and your purpose? His voice is the only one that matters.

Paula Behrens:

Finally, let's go to Isaiah and listen for the wisdom found there, as the prophet speaks for God, saying, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are ever before me." That's Isaiah 49, 15 through 16. God sees you. You are engraved on his hands. You are not overlooked. You are deeply known by him. Has there been a time when you felt unseen or forgotten? Maybe it was in a relationship at work, or maybe even in your own family.

Paula Behrens:

These feelings of being overlooked can intensify our insecurities and make us question our value, but the truth is, God never forgets you. He knows you intimately and loves you deeply. He sees every tear you cry, every joy you celebrate and every struggle you face. You are always on his mind and in his heart. So how can we lean into the truth that God never forgets us? Well, one way is to meditate on this passage from Isaiah and allow it to sink deep into our soul. Another way is to keep a journal of the ways God has shown up in our life, reminding ourselves of his faithfulness.

Paula Behrens:

As we wrap up our time together, I'd like to leave you with a few practical steps to deepen your confidence in Christ and silence those negative thoughts.

Paula Behrens:

First, spend time in God's Word daily. Allow His truth to renew your mind and shape your identity.

Paula Behrens:

Then, identify and reject the negative voices that feed your insecurities. Replace them with the truth of who God says you are.

Paula Behrens:

Also, make sure that you step out in faith and obedience even when you don't feel confident, trusting that God is with you every step of the way.

Paula Behrens:

And celebrate those small victories and progress you make, remembering that confidence is built one day at a time.

Paula Behrens:

Finally, introduce aromatherapy into your daily routine to create a peaceful and calming environment that will support your spiritual growth.

Paula Behrens:

Remember you are not alone in this journey, God is with you and he will never leave you nor forsake you. He is the one who began a good work in you and he will be faithful to complete it. So take heart, my friend. Your confidence is not in your own abilities or performance, but in the unchanging character of your loving Heavenly Father. As you walk with him, day by day, you will find your insecurities fading and your confidence growing.

Paula Behrens:

Now, in this episode, we've delved deeply into our transformative journey from insecurity to faith. We've embraced the powerful truth that confidence is not something we have to manufacture on our own, but it is a gift we receive from God. We've explored how to renew our minds with the truth of God's word, assisted with the calming benefits of aromatherapy, both enabling us to let go of those negative thoughts, comparisons and fears, while rebuilding our confidence on the firm foundation of our identity in Christ.

Paula Behrens:

As you continue on your journey, remember that it's not about striving to be perfect or having it all together. It's about trusting in the one who holds you together and believing what he says about you. It's about trading fear for faith, shame for grace and striving for rest in the truth of who God says you are. So keep pressing in, keep seeking God's face and allowing him to transform you from the inside out. Keep stepping out in faith and obedience, even when you don't feel confident, and keep celebrating those small victories and progress you make along the way. Keep pressing on, keep building your confidence one day at a time. And remember you don't have to wait until you feel confident to step into what God has for you. You get to build confidence by walking with the One who never changes. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Rebuilding Our Confidence, a journey from insecurity to faith. I pray that you have been encouraged and equipped to take the next step in your journey and will continue to walk in the confidence of who God says you are.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you enjoyed this episode, we would truly appreciate it if you would take just a few moments to follow the show and leave a review. Also, don't forget to consider investing just one hour with me to deepen your faith and nurture your spiritual growth. In your Aroma of Christ coaching hour, you will discover how to craft a personalized devotional routine, i ncorporate essential oils into your spiritual practices, enjoy success and effectiveness, create a tracking plan for consistency and learn how you can experience your quiet time with God not just as a routine, but as a joyous journey. Schedule your call now at paulabehrens. com, that's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S dot com, ( no spaces). Be sure to check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.