Are YOU one of those millions suffering from FEAR? Are you despondent, morose, doubtful, and discouraged? Do you have an inner sense of timidity, inferiority, and a lack of self-confidence? Millions do! Here's the positive cure!
EVERYONE wants to be happy. And life was meant to be happy — filled with thrills, joy, pleasures, and rewarding experiences! Why is it, then, so very FEW seem to really enjoy life? Discouragement, despondency and frustration are not limited to the poverty-stricken and the shut-ins alone! This universal disease of inferiority, timidity and doubt afflicts people in ALL walks of life — every income bracket! Whether through failure in business, the loss of a loved one, disappointment at unachieved goals, or severe discouragement through handicapping accident — the result is the same — terrible unhappiness, and a "what's the use" attitude. But whatever the apparent cause — the one ROOT cause is always the same! That one root cause is simply not knowing WHY YOU WERE BORN, in the first place! Not one person on earth — once he understands the TRUE PURPOSE in human life, the great and awesome DESTINY of every human being — the tremendous POTENTIAL of each of us, could possibly suffer from these terrible feelings of inner doubt, inferiority and frustration. So — whatever your status, whether wealthy businessman, elderly pensioner, partially disabled shut-in, or young American housewife, you need to understand the REAL CURE for your doubts and discouragement!
The Psychologists' "Cure"
But can you "kid" yourself out of your troubles? Can any of you who are confined to your beds "delude" yourselves into thinking you are not in bed? Can a person who has recently lost a husband or a wife "talk himself" out of his despondency? Modern psychologists advance empty theories of SELF-confidence — trying to show people how to overcome their feelings of insecurity, timidity, or despondency. But these very "cures" of the modern psychologists oftentimes are not the CURE — but the real CAUSE of much of this despondency. My father has told me about a book he read in his late teens, titled, He Can Who Thinks He Can. It was one of the "inspiration" books published in those years — several by this same author, Orison Swett Marden. These books had a profound influence on my father. He has told me how, as a boy, he was always a follower instead of a leader — filled with a feeling of inferiority. Then, at age 16, away from home for the first time on a summer vacation job, his employer continually expressed confidence in him — told him he was destined to make a big success in life — fired him with ambition and zeal. For the first time he began to believe in himself. Confidence skyrocketed. These "inspiration" or "pep" books implanted the idea he could accomplish anything if he only thought he could, prepared diligently for it, worked hard and energetically at it, and stuck with it through thick and thin. Perhaps you've heard him explain, in his broadcasts, how he studied intensively, "burned the midnight oil," adopted a rapid, "hustler" walking gait, generated boundless energy commensurate with a belief in himself that displayed intense "cockiness," and simply "oozed" self-confidence and conceit. But because he studied incessantly, thought intensively about what he was doing, and worked industriously, he was becoming successful — unusually successful, in his field, for a young man his age. He had gone, as the few who leap out of the inferiority rut usually do, over to the opposite extreme. That's human nature. But he has also told you, over the air, how terribly he had to suffer, later, to have this cancerous disease of belief in himself cut out, and replaced with THE ONLY RIGHT KIND OF CONFIDENCE! More of that, later. My father had adopted the psychologists' cure for inferiority. And then he had, in turn, to be cured of that cure! It's human nature to go from one wrong extreme to the other. Instead of finding the REAL CAUSE of his troubles, than has tried to deal with the effect. Many popular modern writers and philosophers have written books and articles telling people how to overcome this timidity and inferior feeling.
"Self-Confidence"?
The methods usually recommended for developing confidence include positive thinking, the desire to reach others and the expression of SELF. The doubts and fears will flee, they say, with faith in yourself. To cultivate this faith, you must free yourself from hesitancy and anxiety by "kidding" yourself into believing you really have the assurance you lack. This means flattery of the self, careful coddling and pampering of the self. Among businessmen's groups, speakers' clubs, lodges, and women's clubs, these practices are followed. There is the usual insincere flattery, on-the-surface discussions, empty, useless and profitless conversation. The real objective behind this practice is what other people think of you! The only goal set forth for gaining self-assurance is that of gaining more friends, having people "think well of you," and the acquiring of material possessions. By telling yourself "I'm pretty good" or, "I'll make it all right, I don't need anybody else," the "moderns" assure their eager followers they may have plenty of self-confidence. The ways of this modern society, of flattery, back-slapping and handshaking each other into believing in themselves, lead to the false values and the synthetic foundation for REAL CONFIDENCE. The flattery will begin to take effect. The one being flattered begins to really believe in himself. He begins to think these things are really true about him, and perhaps he is the best speaker, the most personality-filled and competent man in the group after all. What a let-down it is — what a disheartening SHOCK it is, when this individual finds all the pseudo-confidence has fled, that he cannot meet a difficult situation, and all his ego and trust in SELF is shattered! Then, after being swept to the heights of SELF-confidence and trust in the SELF, he is dashed to the gutter of despair and hopelessness — feeling himself to be a complete FAILURE. For this is exactly what happened to my father. God was calling him for a very special mission. So God took away his business — his success — shattered his self-confidence — plummeted him from the heights of egotistic conceit all the way down to the deepest chasm of despair, disillusionment, and feeling of utter failure. Then God was able to reveal to him the only REAL confidence, and start him toward REAL success!
The Right Kind of Confidence
What does GOD say about the way to confidence? WHY, THE EXACT OPPOSITE from the psychologists, OF COURSE! God said through the prophet Isaiah that the wicked man must forsake HIS WAY! God tells us to THROW SELF AWAY — not to pamper and fondle it. God says to GET RID of self — man says to FLATTER self. Man talks about "positive thinking," and God says to forsake even your own thoughts! (Isa. 55:6-9) The wisest man who ever lived, under the inspiration of God, wrote many scriptures concerning the differences between those following the customary way of this world and those who were willing to listen to the instructions of God. Solomon knew the difference between confidence in the SELF and the right kind of confidence. He called the person who trusts in his OWN heart a fool! (Prov. 28:26) Jesus Christ directed one of His parables toward those who TRUST IN THEMSELVES. Christ said those who exalt themselves shall be abased; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted (Luke 18:9-14).
Too Many GIVE UP!
The real test of one who has the RIGHT KIND of confidence comes when the "chips are down." The man who sets his jaw and says: "I will NOT quit!" despite all the handicaps and apparent obstacles, is the one who has the quality for success. Solomon wrote, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small" (Prov. 24:10). What a great principle — and how FEW really follow it! So many simply lie down and quit when some terrible disaster strikes in their personal lives. Perhaps it is because it is so RARE when a person who is severely physically handicapped truly SUCCEEDS in life that it is usually so widely publicized. Think of the examples you have known of persons injured in accidents, or afflicted through sudden strokes or other diseases. Even though partially handicapped, or confined to bed — have they CONTINUED to be their usually cheery selves? Do they strive (if their minds have not been afflicted) to keep mentally alert and growing? Do they enter even the simplest tasks with real ENTHUSIASM, and a WILL to overcome? Usually not. Most shut-ins, it seems, fall into the depths of despondency, feeling sorry for themselves — blaming the set of "circumstances" which conspired to bring this terrible affliction upon them. They have the attitude of Job. They know God is good, and that they are "righteous," and cannot honestly understand WHY such a terrible thing should have befallen them — knowing it must ONLY be in the "province of God" and not anything THEY have done! So, instead of finding the true source of real CONFIDENCE, and surging ahead, even in the face of great adversity — they simply QUIT! But remember, God says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small!" How can YOU have strength and confidence?
Confidence in Others?
In this modern age of pact-making and peace parleys, you are constantly seeing men putting their confidence in one another. Nations place trust and confidence in allies, who, perhaps a few short years later, become their bitter enemies. Strange though it may seem, this, too, is another extreme. Because of the wide-spread lack of confidence in SELF, people begin placing their confidence in other people! At this moment, the United States is putting her confidence and trust in many foreign nations, three of which were our hated enemies a few short years ago. What is the reason? IT IS BECAUSE THIS NATION HAS FORGOTTEN ITS GOD! God shows that putting confidence and trust in another man is also an evil — and commands man NOT to put his trust in a fellow human like himself! "Put NOT your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish" (Ps. 146:3-4). David wrote that it is better to trust in The Eternal than to put confidence in man! (Ps. 118:8-9)
Christ, An Example of Confidence
Today, you hear a good deal about Jesus Christ. You are constantly told what a great man He was — what a great PERSONALITY He had. But few have heard very much about the MESSAGE CHRIST BROUGHT! Jesus plainly said He came as a messenger into this world, bringing a message directly from God the Father to mankind! (John 8:38, 42) But Christ also said that He COULD DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BY HIMSELF! "The Father that dwelleth in me, HE doeth the works," He said. Christ said it was the WORKS He did that bore witness of Him (John 5:36), but that He, Himself, could accomplish NOTHING by Himself! THINK OF IT! The very Son of God, for all His personality and energy, said He could do NOTHING by Himself! CHRIST had absolutely NO self-confidence! How much less, then, can you and I accomplish by trusting in ourselves? (John 5:19, 30) Yet Jesus Christ had MORE CONFIDENCE than any man who ever lived!
Where Did Christ's Confidence Come From?
What was this source of dynamic CONFIDENCE exhibited by Christ? Let's not assume! Let's ask Jesus Christ Himself! He said it was the FATHER DWELLING IN HIM that did the works! (John 14:10) THERE was the source of the absolute CONFIDENCE of Jesus Christ! It was faith in GOD! The FATHER who lived in Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit did the mighty works which Christ performed. Christ did not have one iota of self-confidence — but He had ALL confidence in God! Notice the complete confidence that was in Jesus Christ. Confidence such as NO OTHER MAN has ever possessed — because it was not confidence in Himself — but confidence in the Almighty God! When Jesus was called to the tomb of Lazarus, He demonstrated the constant attitude of mind that gave Him this great confidence. Christ did not have to "beg" or "plead" with God to raise Lazarus from the dead, but was in the attitude of SUCH CONSTANT CLOSENESS and ONENESS with God that He simply "lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And I know that you hear me always, but because of the people which standby I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me" (John 11:41-42). Christ thanked the Father for having already heard Him before He prayed aloud. This complete and total confidence in God gave Christ the assurance and faith to call out "LAZARUS! COME FORTH!" And a man who had been dead four days was brought back to life, and walked away from his tomb! We, too, may have this same kind of confidence! "For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken" (Prov. 3:26). Jesus Christ said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER works than these shall he do; because I go unto my FATHER" (John 14:12).
Confidence with Obedience
Confidence, faith, trust; all these are closely linked to and are inseparable from obedience. Without obedience, you cannot have confidence! Abraham, called the father of the faithful, had the kind of obedience that God wanted. It was this obedience that gave Abraham the complete CONFIDENCE he needed! God said it was BECAUSE of Abraham's obedience that He would make the promise given to Abraham of inheriting this earth UNCONDITIONAL! (Gen. 26:5) Abraham met one of the greatest tests ever placed on a human being. God told Abraham to take Isaac, the son for which he had waited so long, and to go to a certain place to kill him. (Genesis, the 22nd chapter) Abraham did not question God's command! He didn't ask WHY — he did not try to remind God this was the son God had given him, after waiting for so many long years — he simply OBEYED! WHY? Because Abraham BELIEVED God! (Jas. 2:23) Abraham had COMPLETE CONFIDENCE — NOT in self — but in God! God had PROMISED to give Abraham many multiple thousands and thousands of sons. Abraham knew immediately that God could either raise Isaac from the dead, or bless him with other sons according to His promises. Abraham was FULLY PERSUADED that, whatever God had promised, He was ABLE TO PERFORM! (Rom. 4:21) What a sad lack of that kind of confidence today! People do not believe God WILL keep His word! People do not FEAR God — neither do they want to OBEY Him! But to those who WILL OBEY, who WILL believe His word and DO those things God shows them they must do — God says "BLESSED are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart" (Ps. 119:2).
How YOU May Have Confidence
How can YOU come to have the real ASSURANCE and KNOWLEDGE that you need in making decisions in this life? How can YOU overcome boredom, discouragement or disheartenment as a result of an accident or sickness? How can YOU regain real confidence — and a sense of positive assurance — even in the face of the death of a loved one, or terrible financial hardship? The Apostle Paul gives us the first step toward the only real confidence, in Romans the 12th chapter and the first two verses: "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And BE NOT CONFORMED to this world, but be you TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." God's way to find confidence is the DIRECT OPPOSITE from the false ways of this world! God's way is the way of GETTING RID OF ALL SELF, of throwing away the rebellious, cast-iron human WILL that is contrary to God — of CRUCIFYING THE OLD SELF with Christ! Paul explained in Galatians 2:20 that He was crucified with Christ, but that he still lived by the FAITH of the Son of God! The only worthwhile confidence is the knowledge that you have actually given your very SELF — your will, your desires and your complete MIND — into God's hands. If you have real confidence, you'll be saying with Christ, "Not my will, but YOUR will be done, Father." God inspired John to write, "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may have CONFIDENCE, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (I John 2:28). The one most central reason for the FALSE confidence on the EXTERIOR that people have today is because they are much more CONCERNED about what people will say, what people will think — the impressions they are making on other people, than they are about WHAT THE ALMIGHTY GOD THINKS OF THEM! Jesus Christ did not fear what man thought of Him! Rather, He had the Spirit of the FEAR OF GOD! (Isa. 11:2) And Christ was HEARD of God — because He feared! (Heb. 5:7) His fear was not terror, but the kind of awe that comes with a full realization of the tremendous power of God — an awareness of His GREATNESS! If you really FEAR God — you will want to obey Him! The WAY to real confidence is through unquestioning obedience! God tells us through John, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have CONFIDENCE toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in HIS [not our friends' and relatives'] sight!" (I John 3:21-22) Do YOU want this kind of confidence? Or do you, like most "moderns" of today, want God to "keep His nose out of your business?" Admit it or not — most of you truly WANT more confidence! You deeply desire to have that PEACE OF MIND, that positive sense of assurance, that sense of knowing that everything is going to work out all right! You would like to have NO FEARS about the future. You would like to have a sense of SECURITY concerning your job, business, or source of income. You would like to have comfort, confidence, and a positive sense of spontaneity and enthusiasm in every trial and difficulty! You would like to be alert, able to make wise and far-reaching decisions, able to be cheerful and happy even in the face of terrible adversity or personal disaster! If you would truly WANT these things — then God says it is yours for the asking! God says, "See? I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU THIS DAY LIFE... AND DEATH... CHOOSE LIFE!" (Deut. 30:15-19) God offers life on the one hand — eternal life and rulership with Christ, and death on the other. God commands you to MAKE YOUR DECISION which one you will take. He will not make that decision for you. God grant that you will make your decision with CONFIDENCE!
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