Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Jesus said, "'Everything is possible for him who believes.' Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"¹

Today I want to talk about having a healthy (not conceited) belief in yourself and in God's purpose for you.

Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known author and psychologist says, "An individual's self-concept [what he believes about himself] is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change, the choice of friends, mates and careers. It's no exaggeration to say that a strong positive self-image [self-belief] is the best possible preparation for success in life."

A healthy self-belief is not an egotistic "I'm the greatest" attitude. Such an attitude is self-deception and a cover for deep insecurity and self-unbelief. Believing in yourself includes knowing and accepting your weaknesses as well as your strengths and believing with God's help that you can overcome your weaknesses and develop and use your strengths.

One very successful woman, a well-known entertainer, didn't have much going for her. She would never have won a beauty contest and at age 38 was living on welfare. After reading Claude Briston's, The Magic of Believing, and beginning to believe in herself, Phyllis Diller's life took a dramatic turn. One gift she had was the ability to make people laugh. Once she believed this, she didn't allow what she didn't have to stop her using what she did have.

Jimmie Durante was another entertainer who wouldn't have made a fortune with his looks. But he capitalized on his weakness and turned it into one of his greatest strengths. He didn't focus on his physical attributesâ€"what he didn't haveâ€"but on his strengthsâ€"what he did haveâ€"and put these to good use because he believed he could.

You and I can do the same.

For an even stronger and healthier sense of self-belief know that no matter what you have ever done or have failed to do, God loves you totally and unconditionally, wants to forgive your every sin and wrongdoing, and has a God-given purpose for your life that He wants you to fulfill! All I ask is that you believe in yourself exactly the same as God believes in you.²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You have a wonderful purpose for my life. Thank You, too, that You believe in me in that You never expect me to do more or less than what You have planned for me to do. Like the father in today's Scripture text, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Mark 9:23-24 (NIV).
2. Adapted from "The Power of Belief" by Dick Innes at: 
www.actsweb.org/articles

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