This morning, what do you have complete confidence in? Anything? Anything at all?
Have you complete confidence in the economy? Home prices continue to fall, jobless rates continue to swim in the depths, and gas prices are as high as the pie that I can't buy in the sky.
Have you complete confidence in the government? Take a stroll down either side of the side of the aisle in any of the Federal buildings, and you're going to get plenty of argumental nonsense but far too little answers.
Have you complete confidence in anything, anything at all? I suspect the answer (or answers) is no. And yet, we continue to work on the answer, continue to reach out, continue to cry out for hope, help and even a bit of quaint happiness.
In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he writes, "I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live."
Complete confidence in the gospel. That sounds, well, right, doesn't it?
From a summary graph on the book "Complete Confidence" I read this morning: Renowned psychotherapist Dr. Sheenah Hankin points the way to a confident life free of self-criticism, anxiety, and immature anger. Her Winning Hand of Comfort technique is a clear, concise, and powerful prescription for dealing with everyday situations—from resolving conflicts to ending unhealthy habits like overeating, complaining, and procrastinating. This essential handbook will teach you how to retrain your brain to manage your emotions and put your problems into perspective. You will learn how to calm down, clarify your thinking, challenge your blame habit, comfort your negative feelings, and achieve confidence. That is Dr. Hankin's promise.
Dr. Hankin has complete confidence in her ability to get rid of blaming and negativity. That's her plan.
Paul's plan was to lean completely upon the gospel of Jesus the Christ.
There's substance in both plans, I think, but only one of the plans ensure not only joy but eternal joy.
I have complete confidence that Jesus can overcome all, which in this day and age is some really, really good news.
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