It has been said that “confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” All of us occasionally make decisions that we are not sure about the outcome. That’s normal. What hurts is when you discover that not everyone has your best interest at heart. So, you must learn to be more discerning and know on what level to interact with people. Usually only a few people belong in your inner circle. That is why you must be wise about who you allow to get close to you.
We all should surround ourselves with people who are not out to destroy our confidence in what we do or what we believe. We must be able to rest in the security of our relationships knowing that these trusted people will help us to express ourselves, gather information and glean wise counsel. Otherwise, we reap the consequences of having the wrong people know too much about us.
Confidants not only maintain our secrets, but they also refuse to exploit our personal information for their own gain. They really care about us and they encourage us in positive ways not by bringing up our past mistakes. A true confidant will never say, “I told you so.” Such people are in your life for the long haul, and you must recognize and cherish them.
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who herself had many encouraging friends, said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”
There is an interesting biblical story about two great friends that illustrates the importance of having friends who will encourage you no matter the personal cost. David and Jonathan were best of friends. Jonathan was the son of King Saul. As fate would have it, David was at odds with King Saul. Jonathan kept David’s secrets and protected him with his very life, even when faced with displeasing his own family. Jonathan was not seeking to elevate himself, inflate his own self-importance, or orchestrate his own advancement through his relationship with David. Jonathan wanted to be a friend David could count on in times when his confidence needed building. So, surround yourself with confident builders and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
