Teachable Woman PodcastConfidence – Part 3

Hosts: Rev. Michele Owes & Rev. Diana P. Cherry

Introduction

In Part 3 of the Confidence series, Rev. Michele Owes and Rev. Diana P. Cherry continue exploring what it means to have true confidence—not in ourselves, but in God. Drawing from Hebrews and 1 John, they remind listeners that biblical confidence is rooted in trusting God's character, obeying His will, and remaining steadfast through every season of life. Whether facing uncertainty, silence from God, or life's unexpected challenges, believers are encouraged to examine their hearts, remain still, and confidently trust that God is always working for their good.

1. True Confidence Is Confidence in God

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 5:14

• God calls believers to hold "the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end."
• Biblical confidence is centered on God's faithfulness—not personal ability or self-reliance.
• Self-confidence that excludes God often becomes pride, arrogance, and overconfidence.
• We can ask confidently according to God's will because He hears us.

Key Takeaway:

Confidence begins and ends with trusting God rather than trusting ourselves.

2. Examine Your Heart When Your Confidence Wavers

Key Scripture: 1 John 3:19–22

• When our confidence in God weakens, God has not changed.
• Our hearts may be condemning us or revealing areas where we have drifted.
• Instead of blaming God, believers should honestly examine themselves.
• Confidence grows as we keep God's commandments and seek to please Him.

Key Takeaway:

If your confidence feels shaky, examine your heart before questioning God's faithfulness.

3. Don't Solve Life Without Asking God First

• Life presents challenges we cannot solve through human reasoning alone.
• It's easy to assume we know how to handle situations without consulting God.
• God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
• Trying to work everything out ourselves often leads to unnecessary frustration, wasted energy, and disappointment.

Key Takeaway:

Begin every challenge by asking:

• "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
• "How do You want me to handle this?"

God's solution is always better than our own.

4. Confidence Means Trusting God Even When He Is Silent

One of the most encouraging lessons discussed came from notes of a message titled "It's a Good Thing."

The message taught that it is:

• Good when life is pleasant.
• Good when life is difficult.
• Good during unpleasant seasons.
• Even good when God seems silent.

When God is silent:

• He still sees.
• He still hears.
• He is still working.

Our responsibility is to:

• Be still.
• Be patient.
• Be hopeful.

Key Takeaway:

God's silence never means God's absence.

5. Encourage Yourself While You Wait

Waiting is often the hardest part of faith.

Like David, believers must sometimes encourage themselves in the Lord by reminding themselves:

• God has never failed.
• God has never forsaken us.
• God is working everything together for our good.
• His track record is perfect.
• He will move at the right time.

Sometimes faith requires preaching God's promises back to yourself until your heart rests in Him.

Key Takeaway:

Confidence often grows through speaking God's truth to yourself while waiting.

6. Trust God in Every Season of Life

The hosts reflected on their own experiences as widows and ministers.

Regardless of whether someone is:

• Married
• Single
• Widowed
• Divorced
• Employed
• Unemployed
• Successful
• Facing hardship

Everyone still needs God.

Challenges come in every stage of life, and every obstacle prepares believers for the next season of growth.

The hosts also cautioned that prosperity can become just as dangerous as hardship if it causes us to forget God.

Key Takeaway:

Our circumstances should never determine our confidence—our confidence must always remain in God.

7. Pray for God's Will Above Your Own

Returning to 1 John 5:14, the hosts connected confidence with praying according to God's will.

They encouraged listeners to pray:

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done."

Giving God permission to work means accepting that His answer may differ from our expectations.

God may:

• Delay an answer.
• Redirect our plans.
• Prepare us for something greater.
• Bless us in ways we never imagined.

Proverbs 3 reminds believers to acknowledge God in every area of life, trusting Him to direct every path.

Key Takeaway:

The greatest confidence comes from knowing God's will is always better than our own.

Summary

Confidence is not self-assurance—it is unwavering trust in the unchanging character of God. When life becomes uncertain, believers are called to examine their hearts, seek God's direction before acting, remain still during seasons of silence, and encourage themselves with His promises. Every circumstance, whether joyful or difficult, is an opportunity to deepen faith and rely on God's wisdom rather than personal understanding. As we acknowledge Him in all our ways and pray according to His will, we can confidently believe that He is working everything together for our good. The challenge is simple but profound: Be still. Be patient. Be hopeful. Keep your confidence firmly anchored in God because He has never changed and never will.