Dear Torrance First UMC Family,
As we are getting closer to ‘normality’ after the COVID turmoil, I believe it is a good time to remind ourselves WHO and WHAT we are as followers of Jesus Christ. And as we are experiencing economic downfalls that affect our lives greatly, reminding us that our identity is essential to determine the direction of our daily lives.
I would like to introduce Dr. Judith Briles’ Ten Commandments of Confidence in her book, THE CONFIDENCE FACTOR. These were written for business people, but I believe they can be important to our spiritual journey in hard times.
- To your own self be true. Listen to your inner voice; don’t let others derail you. March to your own tune, not someone else’s.
- Create positive thinking. Associate with “energy chargers.” Don’t let negativism drag you down.
- Know that you’re not alone. Remember, milions of people have walked in your footsteps before you, and will do so after you.
- Learn something new. Get busy, sign up for classes, read a book, get involved in your community. Whatever you do, it’ll rejuvenate your brain cells.
- Assess the situation. Be realistic. What would really happen if you lost your job, a bid on a contract, or if business got really bleak? (Tie this commandment in with the next.)
- Take credit for your accomplishments. Pat yourself on the back. Keep a file containing all the complimentary things others have said about yoU and your work. Review it when things look bleak. In times of crisis, it’s good to have such positive input at hand.
- Aspire higher. Stretch yourself. Consider your role models in or out of your field of work. Read about them. Strive to be like them.
- Don’t botle things up, get some feedback. Talk things over with those yoU can trust. Make sure the feedback you get is from someone who is caring, supportive, and nonjudgmental.
- Take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, sleep, play. Laugh a lot. Get your life in balance. Learn to make time for yourself.
- Keep in circulation. When rough times or failures hit, it’s common to withdraw, to not let the outside world know that all’s not well. The sooner you re-involve yourself, the sooner you’ll get back on target.
Isaiah says God will be behind you walking, whispering, “This is the way; walk in it.” God is not shouting nor yelling at us. Rather a whisper. “Walk here. This is the right way. And I am right behind you.”
Hope makes us capable of doing what must be done. And even when hope’s confidence-working boots are all worn out and its capacities withered, disregarded, or mocked, still there is a whisper: a whisper straight from God who is alwcays right behind us. “Keep going. This is the way walk here.” Live boldly, confidently, creatively. Walk with confidence. I am doing it with confidence because the nugget of hope is confidence, and I found hope in God.
In Hope of Christ,
Pastor Jacob