Remaining Confident: Claiming Goodness in the Present
In a world that often demands our energy and attention, finding confidence and hope can be a challenge. The pressures of juggling careers, families, and personal growth can cloud our vision and leave us questioning our worth. Yet, amidst the chaos, Psalm 27:13 shines like a beacon of light, inviting us to rediscover the power of confidence and faith in God's goodness, and a belief in the goodness that’s already at work within us.
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
The Quest for Confidence
As Christian professional women, we pour ourselves into our work, our families, and our communities. However, amid the ceaseless pursuit of excellence, it's easy to lose sight of our intrinsic value and the belief in who we already are. This verse reminds us that true confidence is not found in all of our “doing”, but in our unique being-ness that is deemed worthy by our creator.
A Present-Focused Perspective
The psalmist is challenging us to believe in goodness not only in the distant future, but right here, in the "land of the living." This means claiming the goodness that God placed inside each of us from the moment we were formed. And finding ways to remind our soul of this core belief through daily practices and rituals.
We tend to fixate on future milestones – promotions, achievements, and dreams yet to be realized. However, goodness is not a far-off concept. It's woven into every moment of our lives. When we embrace a present-focused perspective, we begin to see the intricate threads of belief in our daily experiences, both big and small.
Cultivating Confidence in Goodness
David overcame self-doubt, failure, and challenges throughout his life. So when he writes, “I remain confident,” we get insight into a key to resilience for how we can stay grounded in the goodness of God within us, everyday.
Stating Our Belief: Start your day by declaring, "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living – in my present reality, today." This belief is not an affirmation, it’s a statement of the truth that is already your portion.
Journaling Your Belief: Document daily moments when you witness God's goodness. Reflecting on these instances cultivates a mindset focused on truth and reinforces your confidence in who you already are.
Celebrate Small Wins: As professionals, we often set our sights on big achievements. However, celebrating small victories – a successful presentation, a meaningful conversation – allows us to recognize goodness in the details.
Supportive Community: Surround yourself with a community of fellow Christian professional women who uplift and inspire you. Share stories of God's goodness, and allow these testimonies to reinforce your own confidence.
Goodness is not reserved for the future. Belief can be enjoyed today as we navigate the challenges and joys of the "land of the living." Whenever we embrace the truth of who we are, we uncover the secret to true confidence – a daily belief that God's goodness is present in every moment of our journey – even in this moment, today, now.
Abby Skeans, Esq. is a social entrepreneur and lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in advising and building alongside leaders and teams on social impact strategies, private equity and investment, economic development, people and talent, operational excellence, and partnerships. She has led initiatives with diverse and influential stakeholders across philanthropy, government, media and entertainment, pop culture, and the private sector, leveraging her strategic communications, international relations, and fundraising skills.
In 2023, she launched Belief Statements, a company that offers everyday products that state the truth of who you are. Based on psychological research on embodiment, neural pathway rejuvenation, and somatic experiencing, the products are not only luxury gifts, but also ritualistic experiences that reinforce core beliefs that overcome imposter syndrome. Abby is also the founding producer and host of the Belief Statements podcast (Spotfiy, Apple, iHeart, Amazon Music) which features essays and conversations reflecting on the power of believing in ourselves and others.
Abby’s mission is to guide leaders and teams through the change that happens whenever one can transform their limiting beliefs into supporting beliefs. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Economist, Religion News Service, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and USA Today. You can follow Abby’s work at abbyskeans.substack.com, @abbyskeans (IG), or @abigailskeans (LinkedIn).