Confidence Like 'Mr. Q.'

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.  2 Corinthians 1:8-10 

 

Some days you have it, and other days you do not.  I can recall going into a biology lab final in college where I just didn’t have it.  I missed the first couple of items, and that feeling of not knowing started to overwhelm me.  I would begin to miss some of the easy ones that my instructor knew I had the answer to.  I was able to barely get past it with a little help from the instructor, who must have clearly seen I was flustered.  Looking back, I wondered what had went wrong, but determined the issue was a lack of preparedness.  It had taken a studious and focused student and turned me into a panicked and underachieving young adult.  To cope, I created an inner superhero.  It would change my feeling from one of uncertainty to a man filled with confidence.  A pep in my step became noticeable.  In fact, an old girlfriend used to call it my alter-ego much like when Clark Kent changes to Superman, and Mr. Q was his name (short for my initials KEW).  When Kent was not quite feeling it, Mr. Q stepped in, and beaming with confidence, he was able to overcome fears, apprehension, and doubt to get through a difficult situation.  As I got older, the two separate personalities became parts of the devotion writer you know today.  Yet, it amuses me as situations where Mr. Q still pops up.  It is not when you would think. Usually it is when God’s truth hits me, and His spirit flows freely within where my heart, His word, and He are one.  He then uses me to share something to a friend either who needs uplifting or when they begin to doubt Him. 

We should always have a high level of confidence in God’s provisions.  Paul’s opening in 2nd Corinthians speaks of the danger and trouble they faced in their travels.  All they had left was their faith in God, and somehow, they made it through their trials and tribulations.  This gave them utter confidence that God was all they needed when things were down, and why shouldn’t they feel that way?  To face near death and survive is the ultimate test of faith.  Nothing would ever deter them from the knowledge that God would always be there to carry them through.  Think of Peter when Jesus was out of the boat and he wanted to walk to Him.  “Come,” (Jesus) said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29)  How did he pull that off?  It was the confidence in Jesus that gave him power where he too could walk on water.  This confidence is instilled in each of us waiting to be unleashed as long as we simply believe.  But we must also remember faith does not come overnight.  It is built each day.  We must trust in God, and like having gone through that poor biology final, prepare to receive His blessings such that it is almost not a surprise.  You know God will carry you through. 

God will never leave you hanging out to dry.  We know there will be times things do not look good and we are left with a feeling of uncertainty as to how something will work out.  But we serve an amazing God who is always looking out for us and awaits our call.  So do not hesitate when God is calling you to do His will or you have a God-inspired dream that feels too big or daunting. Walk with the confidence that one should have knowing He will neither leave nor forsake you.  What part of your faith needs strengthening?  How can you be more audacious in your belief of God’s provisions?  My prayer is we trust God is with us with the confidence of … Mr. Q.  Amen.