I was at dinner a few weeks ago with some friends and we were talking about dresses and high heels. We were all saying that when we wear heels, we feel more confident. This is something that I have considered often and there have been times that I have purposefully worn heels to help me overcome fear.
Last week, I had to do something really hard. I realized I have not forgiven someone close to me who had hurt me deeply 20 years ago. I knew that I would be seeing her regularly soon, and every time I thought about it, my anxiety would rise. I knew it wouldn’t be healthy to continue like this, because anxiety would be an even more regular part of my life.
I needed to forgive. But how? And what would I do? Do I request to meet with her? Do I just suck it up, and continue to bury my feelings? What?
After I prayed about it, my feelings of hurt began to change into thankfulness for the friend she had been to me, before the friendship abruptly ended. I knew I had to reach out to her with a note of thanks.
I Wasn’t Confident…
But can I tell you how much hesitation I had? What happens if this ends badly? What happens if this blows up in my face? And of course, that caused me to make a plan B, C, and D if that did happen.
That morning before church, I knew what I had to do. I had to be confident. So, I got ready. I took a shower, I did my hair, sprayed my body mist, put on my summer make-up (mascara), and a dress. And then I poured my iced coffee, sat down at my computer, and lit my favorite candle. For me, these things make me comfortable and are in a way how I put on the armor of God.
6 Ways The Armor Of God Can Make Us More Confident Click To Tweet6 Ways The Armor Of God Can Make Us More Confident
I wanted to share the six pieces of the armor of God, that when we put on, can give us the confidence we need in Christ to conquer our fears. Those six things are found in Ephesians.
1.) The Belt of Truth
Belts hold up our pants. Pants cover our nakedness, the things that only God can see, the things that cause us shame. Can I be honest, and say that there was a part of me that felt shame in writing to her. It was because I was wrong in how things ended as well. I had apologized years earlier, because I needed to take ownership of my actions, but was never met with a response.
A belt secures those pants so that they don’t keep falling down, just like the blood of Jesus secures our salvation. We are secure because of His love, and faithfulness. We don’t need to feel shame when we are covered by His blood that gives us freedom from that.
2.) The Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness: acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin. A breastplate protects your chest, your heart. And doing what is right in God’s eyes, protects you as well. I knew the reaching out to her was the right thing to do, and I needed to do it in a 1 Peter 3:15-16 type of way “But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” … I just needed some peace in doing what I knew was right.
3.) Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Footwear protects you from the dangers of walking barefoot. And peace, well the peace that passes understanding protects you from the fears that can cripple you. I needed peace because otherwise, I would have crumbled in anxiety. I needed a peace that surpassed the thought of what could happen. And God was so good in providing me that, and also the perseverance in finishing the letter and pressing the send button. But I also needed to do this with faith.
4.) Shield of Faith
Faith that shields you from what will come against you. But His promise is “that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38. I knew that I was opening myself up for more hurt, but I had to remember that God works for the good of those who love Him… even if I got no response, or if the response was bad. I just knew I had to have faith that He would somehow work it all out.
5.) Helmet of Salvation
Salvation that protects you from the attacks of the enemy, and saves you from death and separation from our good Father. I have to go back to the Romans verse above. Salvation promises us that nothing can separate us from God. And if nothing can separate me from Him, then even if I was met with a response that hurt, God was still there to protect me, and nothing could change that.
6.) Sword of the Spirit
I find it interesting that the sword of truth is the last thing listed, but it would be the last thing a soldier picks up before battle. And His Spirit lives in me. It is the same Spirit that turned water into wine, raised the dead to life, and walked on water like it was solid ground. If all this is true, and if you are a child of God, this Spirit lives in you too.
You can have the fullest confidence to face your fears when you put on the full armor of God.
The Rest of the Story
So, to share the rest of the story, I finished the note and drove to church. I pressed the send button minutes before worship started. And I worshipped knowing I was standing on His solid ground, not knowing how this was going to turn out, but knowing He was with me.
She did respond, with a similar thankfulness and excitement to see me in a few weeks and to hear how life has been for me.
Join the Conversation
Where in your life do you need to walk confidently with the full armor of God on? Please share it with us so we can pray for you! And we would also love to hear some of the things that you do that help you be confident when facing your fears!
What helps you be confident when facing your fears? Read Jessica's answer in this post… Click To TweetRecommended Christian Books on This Topic
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Jessica has a deep love for Christ and a desire to follow where He may lead. She is a writer who desires for women to know that they are loved by a beautiful Creator, and in hopes to encourage women in their walks with Christ, she began blogging on her site The Path I Follow. Jessica currently lives in Norwalk, CT with her husband Mike, and two children, Charlie and Olivia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, walks at the beach, helping with women’s ministry at her church, and relaxing on her parent’s boat. You can learn more about Jessica and read her weekly blog posts by visiting her website or Facebook page.
- Jessica Schneiderhttps://candidlychristian.com/author/jschneider/
- Jessica Schneiderhttps://candidlychristian.com/author/jschneider/
- Jessica Schneiderhttps://candidlychristian.com/author/jschneider/
- Jessica Schneiderhttps://candidlychristian.com/author/jschneider/
4 Comments
Putting on the armor of God is key in confidence. Thanks for going through all the pieces so well here!
Tiffany Montgomery recently posted…How to Create Prayers for Marriages in Trouble: War Room Prayer Strategy
It is so key! Thanks for reading today!
Thank you for sharing your story and being obedient to God. It is a fantastic example to follow. I love the armor of God, and it got me thinking am I using all of it?
Blessings,
Maree
Maree Dee recently posted…Stop to Look at the Burdens You Carry – Grace & Truth Link-Up
That is a good question to reflect on, “are we using all of it?”. Thanks for reading today!
Remember: From our side of the computer screen, we can’t see your tears. We can’t see your beautiful smile. We can’t hear the emotion behind your words or the tone of your voice. All we get are your words. Write them with love.