Fact or Feeling
By: Sue-Ellen Howe
Tags: Confident, Spirituality, Fmf, Christianity, Christian Living

Fact or Feeling

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

So many questions whirling around in my head in relation to this word. I think right away of the scripture verse Many trust in Horses and men but I trust in the Lord my god. Ps 20:7

That brings a new word to play, the word trust.

I had to look it up because they seem so intertwined, I wanted to know if there was a difference.

According to the dictionary the two can be used in place of each other.

There are however minuscule differences.

My next question is can you be confident without trust, can you trust and not have confidence. Here is what the dictionary defines as confident;

con·fi·dent /ˈkänfədənt/ adjective: confident · feeling or showing confidence in oneself; self-assured. · “we require outgoing, confident people able to approach large groups” · synonyms: self-assured, assured, sure of oneself, self-confident, positive; More · assertive, self-assertive, self-possessed, believing in oneself, self-reliant, poised, filled with aplomb; · cool, cool headed, calm, collected, cool, calm, and collected, phlegmatic, levelheaded, composed, nonchalant, unperturbed, imperturbable, unruffled, impassive, serene, tranquil, relaxed, at ease; informal unflappable, together, unfazed, laid-back; informal nonplussed; rare equanimous “she was a confident, outgoing girl” •feeling or showing certainty about something. “this time they’re confident of a happy ending” synonyms: optimistic, hopeful, sanguine; More feeling or showing certainty about something. “this time they’re confident of a happy ending” synonyms: · optimistic, hopeful, sanguine; sure, certain, · positive, convinced, in no doubt, · unshakeable in one’s belief, secure in one’s belief, · easy in one’s mind, satisfied, assured, persuaded; · have no doubt, not question, hold the unwavering view “we are confident that business will improve” Noun noun: confident; plural noun: confidents 1. a confidant.

The purpose of this blog is not so much to be a teacher but to cause us to think deeply about this subject and in order to do that we need the facts. So here also is the def for trust:

Trust /trəst/ noun: trust 1. firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. “relations have to be built on trust” synonyms: · confidence, belief, faith, freedom from suspicion/doubt, sureness, certainty, certitude, assurance, conviction, credence, reliance · “a relationship built on mutual trust and respect” antonyms: distrust, mistrust, skepticism •acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation. “I used only primary sources, taking nothing on trust” •the state of being responsible for someone or something. “a man in a position of trust” synonyms: responsibility, duty, obligation “a position of trust” •literary a person or duty for which one has responsibility. plural noun: trusts “rulership is a trust from God”

In order to have confidence or to be confident you have to trust or have confidence in something or someone, or circumstances.

For example: I have confidence in him because I have seen his track record and He seems to make good choices.

Having confidence in him, because of his track record.

I am confident he will come though because He always keeps his word.

We are trusting him because He keeps his word.

Are we trusting in His word?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Another thought that is in my mind is this: is confidence a fact or feeling?

I am feeling rather confident today?

I am confident that today will be a good day?

I am not sure how this is going to work out but I am confident it will all be fine

I don’t feel very confident today but I have prepared and I know I can do all things though Him who strengthens me.

Is it a feeling based on a fact, or a decision to walk forward without fear based on a fact.

In our case as His children the fact that God is for us, His plans for us are for good not for evil, He will use everything in our lives for good. He is God He is in control and so when I don’t feel confident about what is going on around me I can trust and be confident in the fact that God is, and that He has got this and He has got me!