“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Mark 6:34 (New International Version)
Today’s world is a tough one and so many of us live with constant worry about things that might not even happen, especially for our children. All around us we see the symptoms of a broken and fallen world. People are hurting each other, they’re taking advantage of one another, they are attacking one another – almost as if for sport. It’s as if the world has gone mad – like we are in an upside down world, where people are saying, “Yes, violence and treating people poorly to get what you want is acceptable!”
In this 21st century, tech has evolved in a way that facilitates cyber bullying to silently torment our sons and daughters in the safety of their own homes. Between Twitter DMs and Instagram comments from classmates, Snapchat messages on their phones that vanish quicker than a ghost in daylight (but not before searing pain and rejection into the hearts of the recipients), our kids confidence and sense of self is attacked at every turn. Our dear children look in the mirror at their own image and are unhappy. Continued abuse in this way leads to serious long-term issues of low self-esteem, emotional problems, a lack of confidence, and numerous social problems that can be lifelong.
The effects of low confidence
When we lack confidence, we appear shy to others and it often leads other people to think they can walk all over us, which many will gladly do to get what they want. If we had the confidence, we’d stand up to these people and let them know exactly where our boundaries lie. But when confidence is lacking, many aspects of our lives suffer.
Our sons need to grow up to become confident young men. Not just so they can do well in school with their presentations, or in church with their youth groups, or to secure healthy career options – but so they won’t hesitate to step forward to meet a new friend, or to protect those who need protection, or to stand up for themselves when necessary. And also because our world desperately needs good men. Men who are not afraid of failure, who have the confidence to speak, to stand up for what is right and just.
❤️ Related Content: 10 Emotional Love Letters and Poems for Your Boyfriend or Husband
Boys versus girls
It’s easy to see how boys and girls are treated differently, purely based on gender. Boys are taught that they have to be tough, and girls are told they have to be sweet. Boys are taught to hide their feelings, and girls are encouraged to speak openly about their feelings. Boys are taught that “real men don’t cry,” while girls are permitted to cry openly. Why do we brainwash our children to believe they are weaker people if they shed a tear or express emotion? On the flip side, a confident man understands that they are emotional beings and are secure within themselves, and they permit themselves to cry when they need to. A confident, healthy man acts as a rock to those in his life – a steady fortress in the storms of life. A man cannot be that steady rock if he is not allowed to develop his confidence and sense of self in a holistic and deep way.
❤️ Related Content: Uplifting Blessings and Beautiful Images to Elevate your Tuesday
Children need to learn to develop their self esteem
Watching our sons grow into confident young men is a great reward to us as parents. When you are teaching and leading your child, follow the good work and loving words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of us underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit but Jesus said in John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” This is the very thing that God has given to us; the Holy Spirit was sent by God to help all believers.
Our sons should feel confident enough to be who they are, without having to put on a mask or conform to someone else’s idea of who or what a man should be.
They need to feel safe in being themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. Most of all, they need to know that they are not alone. Many people care about them and want to see them succeed. By providing confidence-building experiences and opportunities for growth, by speaking words of affirmation, live-giving messages of love, we can help boys and young men to develop into strong, confident adults.
Don’t forget that our children are constantly bombarded with images and messages that tell them they aren’t good enough, that they have to look a certain way or act a certain way. It is no wonder that so many boys and young men struggle with confidence issues. But we do have a guidebook. We have the Bible; it contains many scripture quotations to guide us on life’s journey and to give us an assurance of things we can be certain.
❤️ Related Content: 108 My Sons Smile Quotes and Sayings To Melt Your Heart
Bible verses for confidence
The following verses from the Holy Bible can show your son that he can trust in the power of God and use some of the best Bible verses to build confidence in boys and young men, and to encourage them through the hard times. These Bible verses will help them navigate the difficult waters of life and become who God has called them to be!
Side note: The exact wording might be different from the verses in your Bible; it will depend on which version of the Bible you have.
Confidence in Overcoming Fear
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
As a child, I was always afraid of the dark. I would lie in bed, wide awake, imagining all sorts of terrible things lurking in the shadows. My parents would try to reassure me, telling me that there was nothing to be afraid of, but their words never really registered. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that my parents had been right all along: there was nothing to be afraid of. The darkness is just an absence of light; it cannot hurt you. And once I understood that I was never afraid of the dark again.
Similarly, when we are facing our fears, it can be helpful to remember that God is with us. Just as He reassured the children of Israel, He wants to reassure us that we have nothing to fear. He will be with us at every moment because we are a child of God, strengthening our need for endurance, and helping us along the way. And just as He upheld the children of Israel with His righteous right hand, He will do the same for us. So do not fear: God is with you always.
❤️ Related Content:Take Back Your Power: Affirmations for Alpha Male Energy
Make sure your son knows that although we live in a fallen world, God is his creator, and he belongs to God. He has God on his side, always. For this reason, he can let go of fear.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
These words from 2 Timothy 1:7 have always been a source of strength and encouragement for me. In a world that is often filled with fear and uncertainty, it is good to know that we have a God who is powerful and loving, and in control. When you are feeling afraid or out of control, remember that God’s word has given you a spirit of power and love, and self-control, and allow yourself to believe and be filled with confidence. Remember that no matter what happens in this world, God is always with us, and He will never leave us or forsake us. So, whether we are facing difficult times or celebrating good times, we can always rest assured that our God is in control.
Confidence in Courage
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
The book of Joshua begins with Almighty God commissioning Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:9, God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” This is not a casual request–God is demanding Joshua to have courage in the face of what is sure to be a difficult and dangerous task. This courage does not come from a place of fearlessness, but rather from confidence in God’s presence and power. Even when the odds seem insurmountable, we can take courage in knowing that God is with us and will never leave us alone. He has blessed us with our own abilities, but we can also be assured that when we are facing our own challenges, we can remember Joshua’s courage and let it inspire us to face our fears with confidence, knowing that God is always by our side.
Talk to your son about how courage and strength are inner virtues, gifted to us by our Heavenly Father. Spend time in the gym developing your physical strength so that you may protect others when needed, but know that your courage and spiritual strength are given to you by God – gifts that you can draw on whenever you need to.
Confidence in Trust
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
We all want to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. To have confidence that He will make our paths straight. But what does that really mean? It means not trying to figure everything out on our own. Acknowledging Him in everything we do – the good and the bad. Knowing that He is always with us and will never leave us. Trusting in His plan for us even when things are tough. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. When we trust in the Lord, we can rest assured that He will take care of us. We can have confidence in His love for us and His perfect plan for our lives.
There will be many times in your son’s life when this passage can bring him peace. The paths we take through life can often seem disorganized and confusing – it’s easy to feel that no one is in control of what’s happening to us. But God is always in control and we can trust him in that. As humans we always want to make sense of what is happening, but sometimes we cannot make sense of it until we are on the other side. There’s a good chance that if you are being obedient to God and you can’t understand his plan, it means you’re not on the other side of it yet. Trust in God and his promises – he is working in your favor.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
1 Hebrews 10:35-36
The author of Hebrews urges his readers not to give up their confidence because it will be richly rewarded. Confidence is essential in our walk with God. It is a belief in His promises and a trust in His faithfulness. When we are confident in God, we can weather the storms of life and come out stronger on the other side. We can also have confidence that He will never leave us or forsake us. His love for us is unconditional and everlasting. So let us hold onto our confidence, knowing that it will be richly rewarded by the God who loves us dearly.
Help your son to build his confidence in the Lord. If his own confidence is rooted in the Lord, it becomes an unshakeable confidence. Not the worldly kind that comes and goes with the changing of fashions or seasons – the biblical kind that withstands even the greatest of adversaries.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
When we face difficult challenges in life, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. We may start to doubt our abilities and wonder if we have what it takes to overcome the obstacle. However, Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we are never alone; God is always with us, giving us the strength we need to overcome whatever challenges we may face. This verse gives us confidence that, no matter what life throws our way, we have the strength to overcome it because God is with us. When we remember this truth, we can approach life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that we have the strength to overcome them.
Confidence in Purpose and Identity
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalms 139:13-14
It is so easy to get caught up in negative self-talk. To focus on all of the things that we think are wrong with us. To believe that we are not good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough. But the truth is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just as Psalm 139:13-14 says, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God. And when we remember that, we can start to see ourselves through His eyes. We can start to see ourselves as confident, capable, and worthy of love. So, the next time you find yourself getting trapped in negative self-talk, take a moment to remember just how fearfully and wonderfully made you are. Make sure your son knows this verse by heart – and that it speaks directly to him. Make sure your son knows that God created him and put him here in this world for a purpose, and that his identity is not in the world – it is not in what his peers think of him, or his latest grade on his math exam or in the number of likes on his latest instagram post – his identity is in Christ, and he is BELOVED by God.
❤️ Related Content: Unique Christian Mantras with Images For Love & Healing
Conclusion
Tough times are a part of life and we all face them at some point. But when it reaches a tipping point, it’s often difficult to know how to get through them, and as loving parents, we want our kids to grow not only in a confidence for themselves but also to develop strong confidence in our Lord God. The good news is that we can take comfort in knowing that the power of Christ and the steadfast love of God is always with us and will never desert us. It is that powerful for us, and our kids.
When in your time of need, as a follower of Christ, know that His love is perfect and He will give you the strength you need to overcome any obstacle, no matter how big or small it may seem, as long as you put your trust in Him. We can have the confidence that He will lead us through anything and bring us safely out the other side. Let us remember these truths during our toughest moments, knowing that God is the One who is ultimately in control. True confidence comes from Him. He has already taken the first step, the rest is up to you.
If you’re looking for a good book that will help you build up your son’s courage and confidence in the Lord, then I recommend buying a copy of “Daily Christian Affirmations for Teen Boys.” This book is filled with inspiring quotes and Scripture verses that will help you stay strong in difficult times, and could be used as a family Bible study. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to grow in their faith and work on their own confidence.