Together We Thrive

Growing in Confidence

By Mindi Kirklin, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:12. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Matthew 7:24–27. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

I haven't felt boldly confident over the past few years. I have wrestled through so many insecurities, so much doubt in myself as a leader, as a parent, well, pretty much in every area of my life. I have felt attacked by Satan and have grieved the attacks all around me as the enemy seems bent on destruction of everything that is good…..every person who trusts in the Lord, every family that has been built on Christ. The attacks have been personal, targeted and effective.

When Jesus said that the storms came to both houses, the one built on the rock and the one built on the sand, he meant it. The storms have come and have tested our foundations. I know few people who have escaped without some sort of testing. The Bible tells us that this is true, and yet, every time the testing comes my way, I am in complete shock! Like what is happening??

Despite the clarity of 1 Peter 4:12, It rocks me EVERY SINGLE TIME! Ugh! I want so badly to be that female hero in the action movie that looks across the room at the murderous guy and gives that look that says “Bring it on!”….not shocked that evil exists, but ready for it, waiting for it, and prepared for it! But for many of us, confidence has seemed elusive. We were attacked and most of us were not ready for it. I sure wasn’t ready for it. I wasn’t ready when my family was attacked. I wasn’t ready when my church was attacked. I was woefully unprepared. Many of us have reevaluated what we believe and where we stand on a multitude of issues. Things that seemed certain have been shaded in colors of gray. While this season of contemplation has been a rich time, a dig deep kind of time, few of us would describe it as a season of confidence.

Questioning is good. It is mature and necessary. However, it is so important to remember that our certainties far outweigh our questions and doubts. We may have questions about how to handle women's roles, how to reach the LGBTQ+ community while holding on to our convictions, how to navigate political and social issues in an increasingly polarized world, but the things I know are greater than the things I don't know:

I have faith in HIM, in Jesus Christ.

I know who He was, what He did and where He is right now.

I know who I am without Him and would give my life to honor Him.

I know God's love and mercy in very intimate ways and I also know His holiness and might. He is worthy of worship, total devotion and I will bow before my King and give Him my life.

I know that the church of Jesus Christ is universal and eternal.

I know that we are on the winning side.

Let us be confident in our faith. Let's remember where we built our houses with each act of faithful obedience: on solid rock. Jesus Christ is a firm foundation. Make no mistake, the storms will come, but Jesus Christ can make me stand. He is solid therefore I am solid. There is nothing coming our way that makes our heavenly Father insecure, so let's not trifle for a moment in such useless enterprise. In fact, it is only because of that firm foundation, that certainty of what we DO know and obey, that we can feel confident in admitting the things that we don’t know, in questioning and evaluating the things we are uncertain about. A person standing on a firm foundation can reach so much higher than someone whose feet are shifting.

It is time! It is time to stare down the devil and deliver a blow that knocks him off his feet. I am not afraid anymore. I am not afraid of what I don’t know, the questions I can’t answer or the uncertain future that Satan loves to hold over my head. I am not afraid, because there is a future that I can be certain of. It has been bought and paid for by the blood of the lamb. I am HIS, and Satan has nothing on HIM!

Stand confident sisters, for our confidence is in Christ.

Reflection Questions:

What are some of the things that I am very certain of from the scriptures and my relationship with God?
How can I better prepare for the attacks of Satan in the future?
How can I help arm my sisters for the battles ahead of us?

Today I will: Focus on the things that I am certain about.

About the Author: Mindi Kirklin currently leads the Cincinnati Church of Christ alongside her husband, Sean. She became a Christian in Sioux Falls, SD in 1996 and went into the ministry in Triangle, NC. She has so many rich relationships and memories with God’s people in Triangle, Louisville, KY, and Lexington, KY before landing in Cincinnati in 2019. She has an adventurous spirit, a bit of a guilty soul and a deep love for her husband and two amazing teenagers.

39 Comments

Mar 9, 2024, 7:45:41 AM

Vethlana N - Thank you for sharing with us your life experiences and journey. I have also experienced losing faith and confidence in the middle of the storms in my life. I really need to focus on the promises of Hod, which are certain and true. And lastly, I’m confident enough to say that I’m on the winning side. Thanks again, sis!

Mar 9, 2024, 7:41:24 AM

Vethlana -

Mar 9, 2024, 7:39:42 AM

Vethlana Noroña -

Mar 9, 2024, 2:14:12 AM

Mwamba - Thank you for your honest and heartfelt devotional. Thank you also for the reminder that in God, "Jesus, our foundation is not shaken by the storms that come, and the things I know are greater than the things I don't know." I pray God continues to bless you and all those you love with his peace found in his presence each day.

Mar 6, 2024, 11:27:42 AM

Lily Umali - The Scripture is so timely , so encouraging , so faith building . Thank you for being vulnerable and relatable . Thank you for reminding me that I have to be confident because Jesus is the rock and my foundation of faith. All praises to Him

Mar 5, 2024, 10:29:29 PM

Lima Cowan - Thank you so much for the lesson I am encouraged

Mar 5, 2024, 6:28:20 PM

Marjurie ostulano - Thank you for the wonderful lesson! I'm so encouraged knowing that I must be confident that I have a greater future more than world can offer.God bless!

Mar 5, 2024, 3:57:48 PM

Joan - Joan - This is awesome sis ,thank you! I am certain that no matter what kind of storm ahead of me, God will never leave me and that gives me confidence to thrive ❤️

Mar 5, 2024, 3:56:38 PM

Joan - This is awesome .I cam certain that no matter what kind of storm head of me God will never leave me that gives me confidence to thrive ❤️

Mar 3, 2024, 2:42:03 AM

Annabelle Gallardo - Thank you for this encouraging word from God. The things I consider certain in the scriptures is the promise of God that He will never leave us whether we face big troubles bec. He is larger than all the troubles that comes our way. We are certain that if we persevere in our prayers He will listen and answer our prayers even if it takes a long time. 2 I can prepare for the attacks of Satan by reading everyday the word of God (bible) & pray for protection from the Holy Spirit 3. I can help my sisters in church who are struggling with their faith by inspiring and encouraging them to trust God and obey what the Bible is teaching us.

Mar 2, 2024, 3:29:01 AM

Leilani Manginsay - Thank you so much for this one. Very helpful in our spirituality. Awesome!

Mar 1, 2024, 7:31:12 PM

Mary Ellen Abarca - Thank you Mindi for sharing an awesome QT lesson of having confidence in Jesus Christ. Knowing who Jesus is in my life that He is enough for my salavation, what He did on the cross, his amazing love and grace is all I need for me to rest my soul and be confident when storms come. I may not be prepared all the time but trusting God and putting my confidence in Jesus will surely help me stand and continue to thrive...

Mar 1, 2024, 5:18:44 PM

Rosalina Piamonte - Thank you for sharing this awesome lesson for women! Having a deep relationship with God can make us confident and still strive & fight the good fight of faith. Trusting HIM fully despite so many challenges.

Mar 1, 2024, 5:03:30 PM

Evelyn - Uncertainties, future always been my struggles and I like the practical which is to focus on things that are certain- God’s love and promises and and eternity with Him in heaven. Thank you sis for sharing and reminding us that we indeed have an awesome God❤️

Mar 1, 2024, 5:01:57 PM

Donna Bigata - March 1- Thank you for passing on the encouragement you've learned and overcome through Christ Jesus and empowing women to be faithful with everything God can do in our lives.

Mar 1, 2024, 4:32:46 PM

Virginia Santos - Thank you sis for sharing your life and journey. I'm now fear of losing job due to many issues in our company. What teaches me now is that To look on how big my God is and trust Him fully.

Mar 1, 2024, 9:53:44 AM

Carmela Bordarays - Awesome... I learned to be confident because God is with me .. it helps me to be bold in accessing God's throne ..

Mar 1, 2024, 8:34:09 AM

Rocena Arenas - Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and conviction..I have to be ready and be of help to the ministry of women where I belong. God bless! From ICOC CAVITE - Dasmarinas

Mar 1, 2024, 8:01:24 AM

Armie Marzan - Amazing

Mar 1, 2024, 8:00:59 AM

Eileen - It is really true that the attacks of Satan is making is insecure about our unknown future but thanks for reminding us to keep our faith anchored on a firm foundation. Thanks for the vulnerability and humility despite being a preacher's wife and God's servant for quite some time.

Mar 1, 2024, 6:45:18 AM

Malou Pasobillo - Thank you Mindi for this awesome reminder. Because of the many times we struggle with the storms that comes along our lives, and forgetting to cling on the best anchor. I pray for strength, wisdom and grace to be confident in all the aspects I can be of service to glorify God. May the gift of spirit be upon us always.

Mar 1, 2024, 5:29:45 AM

Marcela Catacutan Metante - Awesome

Mar 1, 2024, 5:22:33 AM

Querolyn Engalla - Thank you my dear sister for this awesome reminder of being confident that we have a great, all powerful Father and God who conquers everything, I was called higher to remain faithful and trust in His promises 😇🙌🙏❤️

Mar 1, 2024, 4:27:50 AM

Nej Nollen - Greetings! Thank you so much Mindi for very inspiring message/lesson. I relate so much here whenever I feel that my future seems blurry for me and all life-question keeps on popping in my head. We may not understand it now but surely God is working for our own good. I always cling to Him who is my strong fortress, my tower of refuge that I can always run to life's are rough and tough. I can always get comfort at the feet of my Saviour and nothing is impossible to my Mighty King.

Mar 1, 2024, 3:25:09 AM

Weng Panio - Thank you Sis for this quiet time. The heart and conviction you shared, help me in my moments of storms too. Sending hugs and appreciation. God bless us all ❤️🙏

Mar 1, 2024, 2:48:42 AM

Cecile Adel - Awesome! Thank you Mindi, this is a great reminder for myself. Jesus alone should be my confidence and making sure that the faith that I am building is build in a solid foundation which is the word of God. God bless❤️

Mar 1, 2024, 2:02:27 AM

Mheng Z - Awesome message Mindi. Truly our confidence will always be with Christ Jesus. Whatever our situations are, Jesus will be there for us as long as we are there for Him. Believing and trusting Him. ❤️

Mar 1, 2024, 1:06:32 AM

Mirasol Bontilao - Thank you so much, Mindi. The first Q.T. series reminded me of such confidence I have in Christ. A lot of things are uncertain in life, but one thing I know I'm clinging on to the Word of truth, trusting God's love and goodness. Continually being transformed by God's grace and the Spirit of truth. Indeed the truth can always set us free. I appreciate what you have shared.

Mar 1, 2024, 12:07:55 AM

Marcela Maila Patagan - Thank you for our quiet time series this will help me to grow in my Love for God will be more stronger,

Feb 29, 2024, 10:41:36 PM

Zarina Teves - I am so grateful to be reminded that I belong to Christ, my confidence is in Christ and I beg God to instill this truth in the tablet of my heart. Just like you I battle so many insecurities and uncertainties of life. I will focus on the things I am certain and confident because of Christ and need not be afraid of the things I don't know. I am on the winning side because God is on my side. I look forward to share the same way you do

Feb 29, 2024, 10:35:39 PM

Weng O. - Thank you Mindi for the encouraging message from God's Word! Because of our relationship with God, we have the privilege indeed of approaching God..

Feb 29, 2024, 10:13:35 PM

Cherry Allego - Thank you Mindi for the encouragement and for reminding us that as long as our solid foundation is Christ - NO storm is too big with God! We are destined to be a conqueror with Christ as our banner.

Feb 29, 2024, 9:11:22 PM

Annabelle Gallardo - Thank you Mindi for that very encouraging & inspiring Word of God. It is a big privilege to be in a relationship with God.

Feb 29, 2024, 8:59:58 PM

Teresita Aquino - Awesome sis, thank you so much for this wonderful message, reminding me to be strong every single day for my God is always there for me,.fighting for my battle. , 💗💗💗

Feb 29, 2024, 8:15:50 PM

Nellebeth Tan - Thank you so much Mindi. For reminding me to be a strong and brave soldier spiritually prepared in the battle everyday.

Feb 29, 2024, 7:55:14 PM

Ma Cristina Samareta - Excited to grow and learn from more from God's word as women for God.

Feb 29, 2024, 7:36:27 PM

Elenita "lilet" Española - Thank you Mindi, great learning from an awesome woman of God. Sending hugs and prayers from ICOC BACOLOD, Philippines

Feb 29, 2024, 7:22:22 PM

Edith Fauni - Hi Mindi, thank you for sharing your learning as well as your life. I can completely relate to you. Everytime our family is under attack I still am scared, but I praise God, for everytime storms come our way, God's Spirit is ever-present, always guiding, always reminding, and always speaking. God had shown the truthfulness of His Words time and again. Thank you sis for the encouragement that this lesson packet brings. May God continue to bless you and use you to impact more souls.

Feb 29, 2024, 7:17:20 PM

Karen Grace A. Piodena - Thank you! God bless! 😊🙏

Previous Post Next Post