In the Civil War, rear Admiral Samuel du Pont gave half a dozen excellent reasons why he had not taken his gunboats into Charleston Harbor. Admiral David Farragut listened intently to the recital, “But there was another reason that you have not mentioned,” he replied. “What is that?” questioned du Pont. The answer came: “You did not believe you could do it.” That lack of confidence has been the secret of failures not only in warfare, but also in the Christian life.

Our confidence needs to be in the Lord, not in ourselves, our talents, our gifts, and our finances, or in other people. When our confidence is in God’s abilities and power, there is no need for failure.