To build self-confidence and respect ensures we live a life filled with purpose and meaning. Self-confidence is the key component of gaining the respect of others. But what is self-confidence? The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as:
“the belief that you can do things well and that other people respect you”.
Do you have this type of self-confidence? The one where you sincerely believe that you can do things well enough that other people respect you? Let’s take a biblical look at a woman who had self-confidence and was well respected by both men and women.
Meet Deborah
Reading from the book of Judges chapter 4, we meet Deborah. Deborah was a judge, the only female judge at a time when men dominated leadership positions. During this time the Israelites were in Canaan for 20 years, under oppression by King Jabin. The Lord felt it was time to deliver them from their suffering.
The bible does not go into specifics as to why the Lord chose Deborah as a judge. But He clearly saw something in her that no man possessed at the time. She was an exceptionally talented woman. Apart from being a judge she was a wife, possibly a mother, a prophet, a poet, and a military leader.
As a judge the Israelites went to her when they needed advice and counsel. However, Deborah was best known for leading the Israelites to victory against King Jabin.
Deborah Was Not Afraid
Deborah summoned Barak and told him the Lord commanded he take 10,000 men to fight Sisera, Commander of Jabin’s army. However, Barak told Deborah that he would only go if she went with him. This shows the level of trust and respect Barak had for her. She agreed to go with him, she was not afraid, again showing her self-confidence. However, because of the stance he took, Barak would not get credit for defeating Sisera. The credit went to a woman by the name of Jael, who killed Sisera while he lay in her tent.
The Lord gave them victory. To celebrate, Deborah composed a song of praise to God, which she and Barak sang together (Judges 5). After this the Israelites experienced 40 years of peace under Deborah’s leadership.
You can see that Deborah possessed a level of self-confidence that Barak certainly did not have. She displayed leadership skills by going the extra mile to accompany Barak into battle.
What can we learn from this biblical account?
Just as God blessed Deborah with exceptional talents, He has also blessed you. He gave you abilities to go out there and do the work he created you to do.
The bible states:
“we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”.
Ephesians 2:10
Reflect and Respond
By surrendering your life to Jesus, you can accomplish great things. What are your talents? What are the things you are good at? How are you using your gifts to glorify God and serve others? When you use your talents to the fullest, you build self-confidence and respect, just as Deborah did.
This blog post first appeared in Life Magazine.
