Self-Belief: The Only Faith You Need

The idea of having faith in oneself is a contentious topic, with some arguing that it is essential for success and others claiming it is harmful and contrary to religious teachings. While popular culture promotes self-belief as a key to success, critics argue that it was self-belief that caused the fall of humanity in the Bible, with Adam and Eve wanting to be like God. This notion of believing in oneself is further criticised as being in opposition to Jesus's teachings, where followers are called to deny themselves and follow him. However, some proponents of faith in oneself argue that it is not about putting oneself above God but about recognising one's God-given abilities and taking responsibility for one's life. They argue that having faith in oneself is not a one-way street, and that God has faith in humanity, as reflected in the Bible. Ultimately, the relationship between faith in oneself and faith in God is complex and deeply personal, with individuals navigating this dynamic in their own unique ways.

Self-doubt kills dreams and creativity

Self-doubt is a silent assassin, an "insidious force" that can cast a long shadow on the path to success. It is the number one roadblock between people and their creativity. It is the "worst enemy to creativity", and it can suffocate dreams upon inception.

Self-doubt weaves the illusion of inadequacy, whispering "you're not good enough, not smart enough, not worthy of success". It convinces us that a single misstep is a sign of inherent incompetence, steering us away from the road to achievement. It can make us feel worthless, incapable, and inferior. It can make us fear failure, humiliation, judgement, disapproval, and rejection.

However, failure is not the arch-nemesis it is often painted to be. In fact, failure is a mere stumble on the path to success. It is a teacher, a guide, and a catalyst for growth.

So, how do we cut the strings of this puppeteer called self-doubt?

Firstly, it is important to recognise that self-doubt is a survival mechanism and a voice of low self-worth. It is not our antagonist, nor is it truly part of us. It is a tool tasked by evolution with keeping us alive.

Secondly, we must understand that we have inherent worth. Our true, inner worth is unaffected by our achievements or shortcomings. It is unconditional and limitless.

Finally, we must be courageous and push through the discomfort of vulnerability and uncertainty. We must do it anyway. We must make art, experiment, grow, take risks, break rules, and make mistakes.

As Seth Godin says, "If you are willing to do something that might not work, you're closer to being an artist."

Faith is not one-directional

Faith is not a one-way street. It is not just something we give to God but a gift he also gives back to us. God has faith in us, and we should have faith in ourselves.

As Jesus said on several occasions:

> "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matt 14:31, NIV)

> "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matt 8:26, NIV)

> "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith.'" (Matt 17:20, NIV)

Jesus is not talking about God's faith in us or our faith in God. He is referencing the lack of faith we have in ourselves. The primary reason your life is not reflective of your dreams and desires is directly connected to your lack of faith in yourself.

God believes in you, and that is why he gave you the idea, the vision, the strategy. So, why are you afraid, and why do you doubt? Stop standing on the sidelines of life, expecting God to do it all for you. Our faith in God cannot be solely focused on us waiting for him to do something. Faith does not mean it is God's responsibility. We have a responsibility in our relationship with God to do our part. As we do our part, God will do his.

The Bible says, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). It is possible to have dead faith if you lack tangible success. God cannot bless what you do not do; he cannot open the door if you do not have enough confidence to enter the room. Faith in God alone will not advance your life; you must have faith in God and yourself to maximize the greatness God has deposited in you. Stop placing the responsibility on God because he is waiting for you to take ownership of your future. Believe in yourself because God does, and be confident in who he created you to be.

Self-doubt is the lead suspect in the killing of our God-given gifts, dreams, and creativity. It has held captive the greatness of countless men and women for decades. It has sustained the cycle of generational poverty, both financial and spiritual, within our communities and is at the core of our struggles to live a purposeful life. We have faith in God, but no faith in ourselves.

So, how do we build faith in ourselves? Firstly, success starts from within. Your journey to success begins with you. Make the decision today that you deserve more than what your current situation is providing. Life will only give what you demand from it. Remind yourself of God's faith in you and his expectations for you to succeed. Recite scriptures for inspiration and confidence, such as:

> "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

> "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20, NIV)

> "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:12-13)

Secondly, connect with people who are doers and not just talkers. Analyze your relationships because they can make or break your self-improvement and self-confidence. You need to be surrounded by people who will promote your self-confidence, not sabotage it.

Thirdly, set clear and measurable goals aligned with your dreams. Sometimes, you can try so hard to make progress that you end up losing your way. You need a system to keep you on track and enable you to measure your success.

Self-belief is the opposite of what Jesus taught

Jesus taught that we should put our trust in God and follow His commandments. He said that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). He also taught that we should love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

Jesus' teachings emphasise the importance of faith in God and following His commandments. He did not teach that we should have faith in ourselves or believe in ourselves. In fact, Jesus taught that we should deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). This means that we should put our trust in God and follow His commandments, rather than trusting in ourselves or our own abilities.

Jesus' teachings are the opposite of self-belief. He taught that we should have faith in God and follow His commandments, rather than believing in ourselves or our own abilities.

Self-belief can lead to stress, worry and anxiety

Self-belief is a powerful tool that can help us achieve our goals and manifest our dreams. However, it is important to recognise that there is a fine line between healthy self-belief and excessive worry or anxiety. When self-belief becomes a source of stress, it can lead to negative consequences for our mental and physical health.

Excessive worry is characterised by constant uneasiness and overly concerning thoughts about a situation or problem. This can lead to high anxiety, panic, and a sense of impending doom. Chronic worrying can interfere with various aspects of daily life, including appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. It is important to distinguish between healthy levels of anxiety, which can help us stay safe and prepare for challenges, and excessive worry, which can be harmful and disruptive.

When worry and anxiety become excessive, they can trigger the body's stress response, known as the "fight or flight" response. This response releases stress hormones such as cortisol, which can have physical reactions such as difficulty swallowing, inability to concentrate, and trembling. If this fuel in the blood is not used for physical activity, it can lead to serious health consequences, including suppression of the immune system, short-term memory loss, and premature coronary artery disease.

Additionally, excessive worry and anxiety can lead to negative thought patterns and behaviours. Individuals may develop a fixed mindset, believing that they are stuck with their current skills and abilities, rather than adopting a growth mindset, which embraces change and improvement. This can result in a negativity bias, where individuals focus more on negative aspects and have difficulty shifting their perspective or embracing failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

To manage excessive worry and prevent it from leading to stress, worry, and anxiety, it is essential to make lifestyle changes and seek professional help if needed. This may include exercising regularly, eating a healthy and balanced diet, reducing caffeine intake, setting aside time to address worries and then letting them go, practising relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, building a strong social network, and seeking psychological counselling to develop healthier coping strategies.

In conclusion, while self-belief can be a powerful tool, it is important to maintain a healthy balance. Excessive worry and anxiety can lead to stress and physical illness. By recognising the signs and taking proactive steps to manage worry and stress, individuals can improve their overall well-being and lead a more fulfilling life.

You can't achieve your dreams without faith in yourself

Faith in yourself is a prerequisite for achieving your dreams. Without self-belief, you will struggle to take the necessary risks, make sacrifices, and persist through failures and disappointments.

Believing in yourself means having the courage to pursue your dreams, even when faced with challenges and uncertainty. It involves taking risks, stepping out of your comfort zone, and being willing to fail in order to grow and improve. When you have faith in yourself, you are more likely to take that leap of faith, knowing that even if you stumble, you will get back up and continue striving for your goals.

Self-belief is also essential for resilience and perseverance. Achieving your dreams rarely happens overnight, and there will inevitably be setbacks and obstacles along the way. When you believe in yourself, you are better equipped to handle these challenges. You understand that failures and setbacks are part of the journey and that they can provide valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. Instead of giving up, you persist and find alternative paths to reach your goals.

Furthermore, having faith in yourself enables you to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve your dreams. Often, pursuing your dreams requires trade-offs and difficult choices. You may need to prioritize your dream over other aspects of your life temporarily. When you believe in yourself and your ability to succeed, making these sacrifices becomes easier because you trust that your efforts will pay off in the long run.

Lastly, believing in yourself allows you to stay motivated and focused on your goals. It helps you maintain a positive mindset and keep moving forward, even when faced with adversity. Self-belief gives you the inner strength to keep going, even when things get tough. It enables you to stay committed to your dreams, despite the challenges and obstacles that may arise.

In conclusion, faith in yourself is the foundation for achieving your dreams. It empowers you to take risks, make sacrifices, persist through failures, and stay motivated on your journey to making your dreams a reality. Without self-belief, you may struggle to gather the courage, resilience, and determination needed to turn your dreams into tangible accomplishments.

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