How Faith-Based Confidence Helps When You’re Up Against a Challenge

In her book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg briefly tells the story of her coworker, Caryn, and her experience with breast cancer. To encourage Caryn along, Sandberg recounts how she gave her a special necklace on her first day of radiation treatment, bearing the letters “YGT.” Since Caryn’s initials were “CLM,” she was confused at the meaning. Sandberg explained to her that the letters stood for “You’ve got this.”

Gestures like this from a friend when you are in a time of need are an indescribable blessing. It isn’t just the gift itself but the thoughtfulness and support that it represents. No doubt, Caryn wore the necklace as a visible symbol and reminder of hope to help her get through a difficult time.

The necklace idea is so good I might borrow it sometime. But I may tweak the letters just a little and add an “A” and a “J” so that it reads “YAJGT.”

Meaning? “You and Jesus got this.”

When we are facing something crazy hard, or maybe even life-threatening like cancer, attitude is everything.  But have you ever noticed that when life starts falling apart on us, there tends to be a loud voice within saying “I can’t do this!!”?

It is in these times that we desperately need the right message – not the message of can’t but the message of can. And thank God, this is the message we find in His word. Over and over again, Scripture sends the message you can. What makes it different from “YGT” is that the basis of our confidence and optimism is nothing other than the presence and power of God in our lives.

Here are a four great examples from Scripture. I call them power verses:

1. “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”  -David, Psalm 18:29
2. “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  – Isaiah 40:31
3. “Be strong in the LORD and in the power of his might.” – Paul, Ephesians 6:10
4. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” -Paul, Philippians 4:13

You see, the statement “I can” all by itself is missing something. It fails to acknowledge that we all have limits. We all are subject to the law of gravity and we all bleed. We may wear the t-shirt or have the tattoo, but that doesn’t make us Superman, or Wonder Woman. No, we need help. Help from on high.

“…the basis of our confidence and optimism is nothing other than the presence and power of God in our lives.”

Most of us have a daunting challenge standing in our way today…a broken relationship, a special-needs child, an ailing parent, to name just a few of the possibilities. What to do? Here’s an idea. Stand up, put your shoulders back, take a deep breath, and then declare with David,

“…by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”

and with Paul,

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.