Lose Not Your Self-confidence
 
Pappachan Pallath

"Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid"(Mk 6:50). Fear or lack of self-confidence is a mental state that any man, rich or poor, great or small will be in at some stage of his life or another. Saul had power, a big army. Yet when the giant Goliath challenged him, he and the people of Israel were afraid(1 Sam 17:11).

From personal contacts with people of all classes, it is easy to conclude that several have lost their self-confidence. If by the time this Vachanolsavam reaches you, you find yourself in the situation of having lost your self-confidence, then take this article as a message for yourself. Economic depression has touched depths that have not occurred in recent years. This has mostly affected the middle class. Farmers, for instance, suffer from the destruction caused by unfavourable natural calamities. Since produce does not fetch a good price, calculations go wrong. Unfair high interests on loans are like a cobra dancing with its fangs spread out. Nothing but this thought dominates one's waking moments. Self-confidence is lost totally.

While I was preaching a retreat in a parish in Kerala, the parish priest who was listening to the talks,said, "In recent years 30 persons committed suicide in this locality." When a survey was made as to why the suicide rate was rising, it was found that about 25% had no way of clearing the heavy debts incurred from unfair interests on loans. The remaining 5% had other reasons. If you are a person suffering from economic crises,here are some messages for you:

1 Moderate your expenses: Classify your needs as absolutely necessary, necesssary and unnecessary. Think twice before spending every coin from morning till evening. Ask yourself: what am I spending this amount for? For instance, one has to go a short distance. There is enough time too. Yet, thinking walking is below one's dignity, one may hire a taxi. Another example is entertaining friends in the hotel unnecessarily (cf Sir 23:21; 1 Tim 6:6).

2 Did the money I lost include any unfair gains? If so, praise God! Begin to be honest in your dealings. "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death"(Prov 10:2).

3 Do not be ostentatious. Prov 12:9 tells us, "Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread".

4 If I do not get the job I expected I should be ready to take up the one available. Perhaps I may not get even this one tomorrow.

5 Pay your tithe. Have I paid the tithe in the past? If not, begin doing so even out of your poverty. Emulate the poor widow. Tomorrow when God fills you with prosperity pay the tithe from that abundance. Malachi 3:10 says,"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse,so that there may be food in my house and thus put me to the test,says the Lord of hosts, see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you on everflowing blessing".

6 Relationship with God "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing"(Ps 34:10) Jesus' exhortation was the same. "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"(Mt 6:33). If this word of God has become a reality in your life, give your testimony in writing. How many thousands will testify to this truth!

7 Dependence on God! Even while maintaining a close relationship with God, financial crises can occur. The case of Job is an example. He was an ardent lover of God. A just man.Adversity overtook him. Tempests destroyed his children. One who had everything was reduced to one who had nothing. Yet he kept believing in God. I remember what a man once told me. He had amassed great wealth working abroad. Now in old age he wanted to live in peace with his family. But very soon he realised it was only a dream. Reality was a cruel fact. He had invested all his savings in his wife's name. He was rejected by his family finally. God preserved him from becoming a criminal. When he poured out these sorrows to me, I reminded him about something he had overlooked. "There is still hope. You have a healthy body. If you can go abroad once more, you can very soon stand on your own legs." Months later he wrote. He got a good job abroad and was living happily by the grace of God.

 As far as Job was concerned he could not depend on his health. Covered with sores,he was seated on a dung heap. Out of confidence in God come self-confidence and hope. This poor man has been stricken by disease and poverty even in the eyes of his own wife and friends. His wife advised him on two points. In the first place she told him to curse God. What if he had accepted that piece of advice? But he who trusted in God directed his thoughts in another direction."He said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD'"(Job 1:21).

The reward of this decision was not only in heaven but also on this earth. His wealth increased twofold and he lived happily."Do not, therefore abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised" (Heb 10: 35-36)."And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him"(Heb 11:6).
 
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus who calmed the roaring tempests! O Jesus who then and now exhort your children silently to be of courage! I am tired sailing in the sea of life. The waves of economic distress are approaching to engulf me. Save the barge of my family. Direct it safely to port. Give us this day our daily bread. Give strength and courage to my mind this very minute, dear Lord. Amen."