A Little Goes a Long Way: 7 Days to a Significant LifeSample

A Little Belief

“If you could see yourself through my eyes, it would change your world,” my husband Bryan told me years ago. I honestly don’t remember the circumstances surrounding his profound statement, but I imagine it was another conversation in which he tried to help me believe in myself.

Insecurity has been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. But, because my loved one believes in me, I’ve taken steps of faith I never dreamed I would. One of the things I would never have believed I’d do is be a podcast host.

Let me share a bit more of my background to give you a better understanding of why this reality seemed so far-fetched. In college, I thought I wanted to major in broadcast journalism. I dreamed of being the next Katie Couric from the Today Show. During my freshman year, one of the prerequisites was a public speaking class. For my final exam, I had to present a persuasive speech in front of the class. While I don’t remember the grade I received (probably because I wanted to forget it), I do remember the anxiety I experienced. So much so that I dropped the major in defeat and switched to business management. Fast forward to my life now, communicating to the public through both written and spoken form is the majority of what I do daily. How ironic, right?

Even though it is out of my comfort zone, interviewing women for my podcast has become one of God’s greatest gifts to me. I love getting to know and learn from so many incredible women. In one of the interviews, I was chatting with a New York Times bestselling author about her writing journey. During our conversation, she mentioned that growing up, her dad always told her, “Someone has to be the next New York Times bestselling author. It might as well be you.” Is it a coincidence that she achieved what her father believed she could do? I don’t think so because belief in others can be powerful.

A prime example of the impact of belief in the life of another is seen through Barnabas’ relationship with Saul in the book of Acts. Before Saul’s Damascus-road moment, he had spent his life persecuting Christians. Because of his history, the disciples doubted Saul’s conversion and feared him. But Barnabas believed in Saul and became a bridge between him and the apostles. As a result, Saul became Paul. He was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ, and he went on to preach throughout the Roman empire on three missionary journeys. Paul wrote letters to various churches, eventually becoming part of the New Testament. Paul’s belief in Christ was the primary source of his transformation, but Barnabas’ belief in him also played a significant part.

Could your belief in someone change their world? Moreover, could it change the world? I believe so! The possibilities are endless when a person encourages you to believe in yourself. Imagine the Lord saying, “Daughter, if you could only see yourself through my eyes, it would change your world.” Our belief in him and his presence in us changes our belief in ourselves. Once we have this confidence, we must help others believe in him and understand how that belief makes everything else possible (Mark 9:23).

Your Little Task

Think about someone in your life who might be struggling to believe in Christ, belief in themselves, or both. How can you come alongside to encourage them to believe?

Prayer Prompt

Lord, help me to believe in you and to trust in the ways you have uniquely gifted me. Please show me how I can encourage someone else to believe in you and have faith in themselves. Father, I want to believe; help my unbelief. Amen.