Gaining Confidence One Step At a Time: By Victoria Osteen

Gaining Confidence One Step At a Time

By: Victoria Osteen on May 18th, 2010

One of the great stories in the Bible is about a shepherd boy named David who defeated a giant named Goliath with nothing but a single stone and a simple slingshot. Everyone marveled at David's boldness and ability to take on such a warrior, but it wasn't by accident that David had the confidence he did. He didn't just wake up one day and decide to take out a nine-foot giant. He relied on the confidence that came from his past successes. You see, long before David became the king of Israel, he was a shepherd boy looking after his father's sheep. One day while David was tending the flock, a hungry lion approached with every intention of dining on one of the sheep. Now we know from the Bible that David had a strong, abiding faith in God. He may have been young and inexperienced, he probably was feeling fear when he saw the lion, but with God on his side, he overcame the lion. On another day, a hungry bear approached also intending to make a meal of David's sheep. Once again, David put his faith in God, killed the bear, and protected his flock. By the time David had to face Goliath, he had already tapped into the strength and greatness that God had placed within him. David faced Goliath with confidence, knowing the outcome before he ever stepped out onto the battlefield.

But what if David hadn't faced the lion and the bear? What if he ran when the lion approached or just stood at a distance paralyzed by fear as the bear slaughtered his father's sheep? Without those past successes, David may not have ever stepped out to face Goliath. He probably would have reacted the same way his brothers did—frozen in fear, trembling on the sidelines.

Today, you may not be where you want to be, but you certainly aren't where you were. Remember that gaining confidence is a process. You don't get it all at once. It builds with every step you take out of your comfort zone. You can be sure that everything that's happened in your past has prepared you for where you are right now, and what you are experiencing today will prepare you for your future. Recognize the seeds of greatness that are within you and start watering them by taking one step at a time.

Taken From http://www.joelosteen.com/ 

Written by Victoria Osteen:

http://www.joelosteen.com/HopeForToday/JoelAndVictoriasBlog/Pages/BlogEntry.aspx?item=b6901174-c05a-407a-94cc-38d618768c92