 “Believe in yourself” is some of the worst advice you can give someone (especially if you’re a Christian; you should know better).
We're seeing it in the headlines now that Super Bowl is done (hooray); another celebrity sermon wrapped in inspiration and applause. And while it sounds empowering, it directly contradicts the core of the Christian faith. Christianity is not self-belief. It’s self-surrender. Scripture doesn’t tell us to dig deeper into ourselves for truth, strength, or direction. It tells us the opposite: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. The heart is not our compass. Our feelings are not our authority. Our confidence is not the source. “Believe in yourself” subtly teaches self-salvation. Jesus teaches dependence. For the naysayers, I get it. We’re not called to be passive, timid, or idle. Christians still act, build, lead, and take responsibility. But there’s a critical difference between believing you are the source of your strength and trusting that God is the one working through you. Confidence rooted in self eventually collapses under pressure; confidence rooted in God endures because the weight was never yours to carry. The gospel isn’t about unlocking what’s already inside you. It’s about admitting what’s broken, insufficient, and sinful, and placing your full trust in God instead. Not self-esteem. Not self-manifestation. Not self-made purpose. When we tell people to believe in themselves, we place the weight of life, meaning, and outcomes on human shoulders. When Jesus speaks, He says, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” That’s not discouraging. That’s freeing! Because when your faith is in yourself, failure crushes you. When your faith is in God, failure refines you. So no... I won’t tell my family, my friends, or anyone I care about to 'believe in yourself.' I’ll tell them this instead: Trust God. Surrender fully. Obey boldly. And let Him do what you never could. That’s not popular. But it’s biblical. Danny, Keep the fire burning Christianity rises or falls on the truth of the Trinity (or Godhead). To deny it is to worship a god of our own imagination, not the God of Scripture. To embrace it is to confess with joy that God has revealed Himself as He truly is: one God, in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This doctrine is not the product of church councils or theologians trying to be clever. It is the plain teaching of God’s Word. The church has only sought to protect, explain, and confess what the Bible already proclaims. For many new believers, the Trinity feels like a mystery. And in one sense, it is: no human mind can fully comprehend the infinite God. But in another sense, it is plain: God has revealed enough for us to know Him truly, even if not exhaustively.  Ever feel like your brain is running a marathon you never signed up for? Between social media, the news, and everyone’s highlight reels, it’s easy to get caught up in other people’s lives. We scroll, we compare, we get worked up over things that don’t even affect us. It’s exhausting.
But let’s rewind a bit. Back in the 90s (or really any time before social media), if you wanted to know what was going on with someone, you had to actually talk to them. Like, in person. Or at least pick up the phone. (Remember that?? Good times.) In the middle of all this noise, Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians hits different: "Mind your own business and lead a quiet life." (See 1 Thess.4:11,12) Not in a "stay in your lane" kind of way, but in a free yourself from unnecessary stress kind of way. Here’s why this wisdom is so necessary and how we can actually live it out...  Ever since I was a young boy, I could recall my fathers keen interest in history.
Among other things, he knew a lot about the Romans, not only from a Biblical context (what is written during the time of Jesus and the Apostles) but even from the period afterward. I enjoyed learning about different events and people, including how our people (Romanians) came to form a country. Long story short, the Romanian people trace their origins to the Roman Empire, specifically to the Roman conquest of the Dacian Kingdom in 106 AD. The Romans established the province of Dacia in what is now modern-day Romania, leading to significant Romanization of the local population. Over centuries, the intermingling of Roman settlers and native Dacians, combined with the influence of Latin language and culture, gave rise to the Romanian ethnicity and language, which is a Romance language directly descended from Latin. This historical connection is reflected in the country's name, Romania, which signifies its Roman heritage. As an adult, this is still one of my favorite people and time periods to study. We have a lot to learn from them. Good and bad. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, parallels between the decline of the Roman Empire and the current state of American society have become increasingly evident. From a Christian perspective, these similarities serve as a stark warning and a call to action. The degradation of moral values, political instability, economic challenges, and cultural decadence are eerily familiar. By examining these parallels through a Biblical lens, we can glean valuable insights and chart a course for national renewal. Historical and Cultural Parallels: |
ALTARPRENEURwith Danny & Daniela Kovacs
WHYNo family is an island. Join us as we share candid discussions, Biblical advice & resources to help keep God at the center of your faith, family and career. MICROBLOGS
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