• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrines’ perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrines’ perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week the suggested topic is fatigue. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Confidence is rooted in boldness. It is the courage to claim God’s mercy and grace.
Although we must approach God with reverence, we can enter His presence with freedom and without fear. Confidence describes a boldness based on an awareness that God has all the grace we need. It is the attitude of customers coming to a store seeking an important item which they know is plentifully stocked.
When Jesus came to the disciples walking on water, Peter asked the Lord to call him unto Himself. Jesus did and Peter walked on the water. That is, until he took his eyes off of Christ and focused on the wind and waves. At that moment, Peter began to sink. Jesus caught him by the hand and asked Peter why he doubted. Peter became afraid because he lost his confidence in Christ.
When three Hebrew young men were facing the decision of either bowing to the golden image of the king or being cast into the fiery furnace, confidence is what carried them through. Their decision reflects the reality that boldness does not depend upon a deliverance from every hardship. They understood they might not come out alive, but they would come out well.
Confidence allows us to come to God with boldness. God offers His mercy and grace for those who boldly seek it.
The Rev. Dr. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
The meaning of the word “confidence” has to do with proceeding with faith, even though you’re unsure, even though you’re afraid. John Wayne used to say, “It doesn’t matter if you’re scared, ya’ saddle up anyway.”
But what is it that gives you the strength to get up and get going when you’re feeling shaky?
It’s the kind of confidence that the young lad, David, had when he stood before the towering Goliath and felled him with a well-chosen stone from his sling — a confidence that came from knowing God was with him.
There are times when we need to step out of our comfort zone and attempt a task. How do we do that when the voice inside us is telling us of all the things that could go wrong.
The Bible tells us to trust in God and not to rely merely on our own resources (Proverbs 3: 5). The Bible suggests that if we were to give God a chance and depend on strength beyond our own that we would be able to face the uncertain future with greater confidence.
For me confidence is more than just an intellectual thing. It has to do with deeply feeling the presence of Christ in my life. I feel so blessed that I can say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who liveth and dwelleth within me.” (Gal. 2: 20)
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
When in distress we almost instinctively call out to God for assistance. Yet how confident are we that guidance and help will come? Baha’is are advised to rely upon prayer. After praying to God, however, we need to take action.
The following guidance has been provided: Pray and meditate about the problem. Arrive at a decision as to how to solve the problem. Have determination to carry the decision through. Don’t give up here. Have faith and confidence that the right thing will come to your need. Act as though it had all been answered. Act with tireless, ceaseless energy.
Many pray but do not remain for the last half of the first step. Some who meditate arrive at a decision, but fail to hold it. Few have the determination to carry the decision through, still fewer have the confidence that the right thing will come to their need. But how many remember to act as though it had all been answered? How true are these words: “Greater than the prayer is the spirit in which it is uttered” and greater than the way it is uttered is the spirit in which it is carried out?
Topic for two
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on light?
•Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
