It serves no one to be full of doubt and uncertainty. We need a degree of confidence to effectively offer our strength in the world. But this is not to become overconfident and assume certainty when it’s wise to consider other points of view. In fact, this becomes our downfall when we do.
Of course, we don’t want to drift with every changing wind that blows our way. And there are bedrock truths to hold onto even if we have to do so alone.
But confidence in what we believe quickly becomes pride when we believe we alone have discovered God’s truth and everyone else is wrong – and even more so when we’re not even willing to reconsider our position.
For instance, we might have a vision for our marriage and feel very convicted on how things should be. Without giving up our core convictions, it’s wise to at least consider what different perspectives our wife might offer to this vision as well.
As a boss, it might be our company and we’re very clear on the direction we want things to go. But it’s still a good idea to surround ourselves with trusted others, our board of directors as it were, as we consider our best path forward.
Likewise, we might hold very strong stances on various social, political, or religious matters. And without merely caving into what’s popular, there’s wisdom in remembering we don’t know everything and that God might be trying to get our attention through many unlikely messengers.
To be sure, there’s a place for confidence. But we’re cutting off our lifeline when pride keeps us from even entertaining different points of view.
This is like a body that just relies on its sight to the neglect of its other senses. Such a body could not survive. And our pride would be the death of us as well.
Be confident in what you believe. And humbly stay open to what others can teach you so that overconfidence doesn’t become your downfall.
Photo by Khaled Ali on Unsplash
