History is replete with individuals who were overly confident
in their skills and abilities. In 1863 Joseph Hooker, General of the Union Army,
remarked: “My plans are perfect, and as I execute them, may God have mercy on
General Robert E. Lee, for I will have none.” Months later Hooker resigned
after he was defeated by Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
God
intended for leaders to have confidence, to be trustworthy, to believe in
themselves. Too much pride and too little compassion create false confidence. False
confidence led to General Hooker’s defeat. Healthy self-confidence is
strengthened by our confidence in God’s faithfulness.
The
Apostle Paul registered his confidence in the church at Ephesus. He also spoke
of his confidence in the Gospel and his confidence in Christ Jesus. This kind of
self-assurance reassured these early Christians that Paul’s conscience was
clear, and this gave him the authority to speak the truth as God revealed it to
him.
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