trACker number362
The e-Devotional helping to keep you on-track
GodTracker is online at www.godtracker.co.uk
10 June 2011
Dear God Tracker
I Do Not Need Self-confidence; I Need Self-control
Like so many of us, I have, on several occasions, found myself in a position where my self-esteem or self-confidence has taken a nasty knock. I know what it’s like to give your all to something only to be insulted or reduced by so called well meaning (or otherwise) advice. I also know what it’s like when people who look up to you instantly point their fingers and waggle their tongues the moment you make a mistake. Sadly, so many of us don’t have the grace to bring about constructive change in folk through humble prayer and not criticism. What do we do, then, when our self confidence has been ripped out from under us?
As I pondered this dilemma I got to thinking more about this concept of self. I looked up the word “self” and found it means the qualities that make one individual or unique. The word “ego” is related to “self” and it means a sense of personal identity. Both words are summed up in one word: “me”. Therefore both self-esteem, which is the admiration I have of me and self-confidence, which is the faith I have in me, are both connected to the human effort to achieve, perform or behave in a way that impresses others and exalts “me”. Somehow, as I mused over this mission I begin to realise that “self”-confidence or “self”-esteem are not something that a true God Tracker should aspire towards. So where do my esteem and confidence come from, if not from self?
Listen: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control,” (Galatians 5:22). Did you notice that last fruit mentioned in Paul’s list… self-control? The obvious and correct interpretation of this fruit is to imply the control of our passions and lusts by the Holy Spirit. However, thinking about self-confidence and self-esteem, I suddenly noticed that we can turn self-control around to become, control of self! In other words, all that I call “self” or “ego”, as a Spirit filled believer in Christ, should come under the control of the Holy Spirit. This means that my qualities that make me individual or unique should reflect Christ in me and my sense of personal identity should not be in self but God’s word. I began to realise that I do not need self-confidence; I need self-control.
God Tracker, as we seek to track God’s purposes for this life, let us not rest on self anymore. As we desire to achieve great things in life and become confident in all we do, let us not build on our own egotistic esteem but upon his word to us and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring it to life in our lives.
God-tracking requires humble God-confidence.
Stay blessed
Dudley
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What is trACker?
GodTracker and trACker owe their origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, OnTrack. Although OnTrack went off-air in 2005, trACker has continued to help people to track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003.
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VoW
Verse of the Week
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
Quote of the Week
A Sample of Dudley’s Fave Quotes.
“Are you facing an impossible situation? Remember Who is in control. Remember how many miracles He has done in your life up until now. And believe that He will do more” --- Bonnie Ricks
Don’t Give-up, Look-up!
Look-up and Fix Your Eyes On Jesus!
Only You Can Restore My Confidence and Hope
Isaiah 57:15 (GNB)
"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.
Pray
“Father, as I think about my sense of low self-esteem I realise that a high-regard for my “self” is not something I should pursue as a Christian. You look for humility in the deepest parts of me, Lord. So I choose today to humble my “self” and repent of all my sins before you. I’ll be honest, I need confidence to do the things that I do in life but I know now that, that confidence cannot be in me but in you. Lord, be my self-esteem; be my self-confidence. I ask that yiur Holy Spirit would manifest more control of self in my life so that I will be successful and accomplished in all I do, but not of me; of you. Lord, be my esteem; by my control of self and be my self-confidence. Only you can restore my confidence and hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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