Finding Confidence in Life's Hardships

Have you ever found yourself lacking confidence, struggling with insecurity, or wrestling with doubt in life? Most of the time, those kinds of challenges hit us when we’re facing hardships and trouble in life. And the last time I checked, life is full of hardship and trouble!

How can we find confidence when we face hardships in life? In Acts 21 & 22, the Apostle Paul is making his way back to Jerusalem from his third mission trip, where trouble awaits, including a hateful crowd who didn’t think he was “fit to live!” (Acts 22:22). Paul had plenty of warnings from friends who tried to dissuade him from going back to Jerusalem. But Paul was “compelled” to go, believing that was the Lord’s will for him. (Acts 20:22)

Despite the fact that Paul knew hardships were ahead for him, he pressed on with complete confidence. How did he do that; and how can we do that? In Acts 21-22, we discover at least 3 valuable directives for finding confidence in life’s hardships.

Recognize that discouragement now can become encouragement later! (Acts 21:1-4). Find your confidence by trusting the Lord. (Psalm 22:7)
Surrender fully to God’s will for your life! (Acts 21:13-14). The silver bullet for following God’s will is always complete surrender. His will may not always be easy, but it will always be “good, pleasing and perfect!” (Romans 12:1-2).
Make your testimony your strong defense when you face difficulties in life! (Acts 22:1ff). Paul leaned into the Lord’s will for his life and he found his defense and his confidence in his own salvation story; and you can too, especially in the difficulties of life!