Word of the Week: Confidence

I recently watched a video on Time Magazine.com about a Canadian pilot, Raphael Langumier, who took his four-year old daughter on aerobatic plane ride for the first time and filmed her reaction.

The video shows little Léa delightfully laughing and having so much fun that she tells her father to do it again. And again.

Léa’s reaction reminds me of the story I heard several years ago about a little girl who was unaccompanied on a cross-country flight.

After a short time in the air the pilot’s voice came on and calmly told the passengers, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”

Pretty soon the turbulence increased. Lightening was flashing. Thunder was cracking. And the plane was shaking. It was obvious many of the passengers were concerned. The man relating the incident, a veteran of many flights, even confessed, he was feeling some discomfort.

Then he noticed the little girl across the aisle. She had tucked her feet beneath her and was reading a book, seemingly oblivious to the storm and the turbulence.

Finally as the storm passed and the ride became smoother, the gentleman leaned over and said to the little girl, “You sure are brave. That rough ride didn’t seem to bother you.”

The child looked up, smiled and said, “Oh, I wasn’t afraid. My Daddy is the pilot. He’s taking me home.”.

Our word of the week is confidence

If you google the word confidence, you’ll get 482,000,000 results with books, articles and information on building confidence. “6 Actions You Can Take Every Day To Build Confidence.” “8 Guaranteed Ways to Boost Your Confidence.” Or “Talks to Give You a Confidence Boost.”

Confidence, we are told, is needed for success in business, sports, relationships and life in general. And while we do not discount the value of a proper self-confidence, there is a confidence that a greater than all of these combined. It is the confidence we have in the Lord.

The wise man put it this way, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge” (Prov 14:26).

The Psalmist advised, “It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man” (Ps 118:8)

The beloved John reminds us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

And the Hebrew writer exhorts us, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (10:35-36)

Our confidence in Christ allows us to remain calm when we experience disturbance that can suddenly disrupt our lives. Family problems. Financial setbacks. Relationship issues. Ill health. Physical suffering. And the specter of death. All of these are unsettling. Unnerving. And even discouraging.

But our confidence in Christ produces “peace that surpasses understanding.” (Phil 4:7). It assuredly says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). And its focus is not on the things that are seen, but that which is unseen, spiritual, and eternal (2 Cor 4:16-18).

Today, this week or this month, you may face some unexpected turbulence in your life. Hold fast to your confidence in Christ and repeat this words:

“I’m not afraid. My Father is the Pilot. He’s taking me home.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman