“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, the pressures of life can often lead to feelings of self-doubt and low confidence. I like to call these thoughts imposter syndrome. 

That is when we feel like we are not capable of completing what we set out to because of one reason or another. 

However, the Bible reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather one of power, love, and self-control. In this devotional, my aim is to explore the profound impact of self-affirmation, rooted in the truth of God’s Word, in building lasting confidence.

Self-affirmation is not about inflated self-praise or arrogance; rather, it is a practice of aligning our thoughts and beliefs with the inherent truth of who we are in Christ. By affirming ourselves with God’s promises, we are reminded of our worth, identity, and purpose. This powerful exercise can lead to a transformed mindset and a substantial boost in our confidence levels.

Practical Steps for Building Confidence:

1.Embrace Your Identity in Christ:

Take time to reflect on and meditate on the numerous verses in the Bible that reveal your identity in Christ. Declare these truths over yourself daily, reminding yourself that you are a cherished child of God, forgiven, loved, and fully accepted. This recognition of your God-given identity forms the foundation of genuine confidence.

I try my best to do this daily, and even multiple times a day when I really need it. I take time, close my eyes, and send up a quick prayer for peace, and then while talking to god I ask him what I need to do in order to be successful at what I am struggling with.

Sometimes the answer is that I need to lean on my team more. Sometimes it is that i need to man up and do what needs to be done. And other times the answer is to just be patient and he will provide a solution. 

2.Cultivate Positive Self-Talk:

Make a conscious effort to replace negative self-talk with positive and encouraging affirmations. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer to a friend. Speak words of affirmation, reminding yourself of your strengths, capabilities, and potential.

One of the things that I have recently become really aware of is when someone close to me goes into a binge on themselves and how they are lacking. The other day on the drive home from Phoenix Jenna and I were listening to a book and I asked her to take some notes for me since i was driving. 

She graciously agreed, but as she started writing she said out loud, “My handwriting is horrible!” my answer to her was, “Babe, your handwriting is amazing, have you seen mine? That’s why I type everything!!!!  You have been telling yourself that your handwriting is bad so you think that it is.  But the truth is that your handwriting is amazing! You have to start rewriting the story in your head that your handwriting sucks and start saying, my handwriting belongs on the wall of the _____ because it is so amazing!”

3.Celebrate Your Accomplishments:

Create a list of your accomplishments, both big and small. Acknowledge and appreciate your strengths, skills, and the progress you have made in various areas of your life. This practice helps you recognize your abilities and boosts your confidence in your own capabilities.

This is something that I personally struggle with. I am really good at celebrating others’ accomplishments big and small, but I tend to sweep my mind under the rug and not celebrate them.  

I great example is when we brought Gary Chapman to Durango Colorado. Some people thought that this was a HUGE deal. Me, on the other hand, I was upset that we only had 50 people attend the event. It wasn’t until just a few weeks ago that I was actually able to celebrate the fact that I set out to bring him in and made it happen.  How many people would have started planning this and then backed out as soon as they couldn’t find the right place? Or as soon as they hit any walls. 

Not me, I just blow through that wall. But here’s the thing to this day I still haven’t celebrated the fact that we were able to accomplish our goal of getting him here. 

I’m not sure why I do this, but it is something that I am working on. 

4.Visualize Success:

Dedicate a few minutes each day to visualize yourself succeeding in different situations. Picture yourself achieving your goals, overcoming challenges, and experiencing positive outcomes. This mental rehearsal can help build confidence and reduce anxiety, making the possibility of success feel more tangible.

This is one of my favorite things to do! I love to take a few minutes every day and visualize myself winning what I’m struggling with. If I’m going after a BIG client, then i close my eyes and visualize them onboarding with our company and what it looks like.  I see in my mind what it looks like. But that’s not all i also put myself in the situation and feel the way it feels as I succeed!

5.Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:

Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Each small victory you achieve while pushing your boundaries can significantly boost your confidence and help you realize your true potential. Remember, growth often happens outside of our comfort zones.

As I wrote this I actually laughed out loud, because I have spent so much time outside of my comfort zone that I don’t even know what it feels like to be in a comfort zone anymore.  

When Jenna talks about it her exact words are “Comfort zone, what that, Dan keeps me pushed so far out of my comfort zone that I feel lost when I get comfortable. lol”

6.Surround Yourself with Positive Influences:

Surround yourself with individuals who uplift, support, and encourage you. Positive influences have a remarkable impact on our self-perception and confidence levels. Seek out mentors, friends, and communities that remind you of your worth and inspire you to reach your goals.

If you have spent any time around me at all you will know that I say that you are the sum of the 5 people that you spend the most time with.  If you hang out with 5 losers, then you will be a loser.  But if you hang around with 5 people who are ultra-successful and positive, then you become ultra-successful and positive. 

Positive people are the key to really being successful. Tony Robbins says where focus goes energy flows.  What that means is that whatever you focus on is where all of your energy goes. So if you focus on negative stuff, then you will remain negative. But if you focus on something that gets you excited then you start being more positive.  And positive people are successful. 

Building confidence is a transformative journey, and self-affirmation serves as a powerful tool to facilitate this process. As you align your thoughts and beliefs with the unwavering truth of God’s Word, you will experience a growing sense of confidence and self-worth. Remember, you are not alone; God has bestowed upon you a spirit of power, love, and self-control, empowering you to live a life of confidence and purpose. Embrace this truth and watch your confidence soar as you walk in the freedom and identity that Christ offers.