Can you make a decision and feel good about it even if that decision turns out not to be the best? Or are you the type of person who makes a mistake and can’t let it go? How you answer has to do with confidence but even the strongest person carries a little self-doubt.
For the Christian, confidence is rooted in Christ. It is through His power that we can do all things. We put our confidence in Him, knowing He is leading and guiding our steps. As we begin to walk in His confidence, we ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. We are led by His Spirit, not human strength.
We learn to master our emotions so that they don’t throw us into a tailspin or derail our goals. We don’t allow feelings to hijack the thinking part of our brain. Emotional intelligence, our ability to be aware of our emotions and use them wisely, is related to mental strength.
Author Amy Moran, LCSW, wrote a book that lists several things mentally strong people do NOT do. For example, she says the mentally strong person doesn’t try to please everyone. Instead, strong the person develops a position of his or her own even when that position may not be popular.
And when the mentally strong person is wrong about something, she doesn’t give up in the face of failure. She keeps going and doesn’t let others control her. If the outcome is not good, the mentally strong person learns from mistakes and makes corrections for the next time.
Change is embraced, even if change means taking some risks. In the midst of change, the mentally strong person focuses on the here and now, pushing ahead with what can be controlled.
Moran also tells us that mentally strong people don’t feel sorry for themselves and don’t resent the success of others. Certainly, this fits with Scripture. We are not to envy others. Rather we are to celebrate others and their successes.
Finally, the mentally strong person refuses to take the victim position, recognizing that the world doesn’t owe us her anything. Instead, she lives in the grace of God, being grateful for blessings and trusting God to direct her paths.
