Don’t have self-confidence! We have “self-confidence” in our terminology. But, there is no such thing as self-confidence in the religious texts. People tell us, “Have self-confidence.” What do they mean? They mean you should have spiritual power and strength, so that you can make decisions firmly and take action firmly. Stand by what you say. Don’t be shaky. This is what they mean by self-confidence. But, in Islam, the Qur’an, and discussions about the traditions and religion there is no talk about self-confidence at all. When we say self-confidence, do we mean spiritual power and strength? God says, “Yes, having spiritual power and strength is a good thing. But, why do you want to gain it through self-confidence? This is very wrong.” We say, “So how should we gain this spiritual power and strength?” God says, “By trusting in Me! Why trust in yourself?!” There is a wrong term, which people often use. It’s self-confidence. It is very wrong. An ignorant person trusts in himself. I have all these weaknesses. As the Qur’an says, I am “unjust and ignorant.” (Qur’an 33:73) I am so ignorant. How can I trust in myself? “But, you’ll become unsteady.” “No, not at all.” So if you don’t have confidence in yourself, where have you gained this strength?” “I trusted in God.” A child doesn’t have self-confidence. He trusts in his parents. He is even calmer than we are. Ayatollah Bahjat used to say, “Children are never worried about tomorrow’s food.” Because they say, “Mom will provide it. What’re you saying? Dad will provide it.” He has no doubt that his parents will provide food. A child doesn’t have self-confidence. That is why he strongly trusts in his parents. He is constantly connected to his parents and won’t let go of them. Have you seen a child in a gathering sitting and playing next to his parents? The parents get up to go somewhere, and the child starts screaming, “Don’t go. Sit down!” They say, “I’ll come back.” “No! If you go, I can’t count on your coming back. I have to be with you.” Whoever hugs him, he won’t listen at all. We should scream in the same way if we move away from God. How does a child depend on his parents and stay calm? We’re supposed to trust in God in this same way and find peace. We want to cut our ties with God and stand on our own feet. God says, “Ok, go ahead. Poor person, you are ‘unjust and ignorant.’ Every moment you are unjust to yourself. You are acting ignorantly every moment.” “Won’t our self-confidence be ruined when you call us, ‘unjust and ignorant?’ You say that we are so ignorant and unjust.” “Yes, your self-confidence will be ruined. Are you supposed to have self-confidence?” “Sir, if a person doesn’t have self-confidence, he’ll become unsteady and weak.” “Compensate your shakiness and weakness with God!” There is a wrong term, which people often use. It’s self-confidence. It’s very wrong. A child doesn’t have self-confidence. That is why he strongly trusts in his parents. He is constantly connected to his parents and won’t let go of them. We’re supposed to trust in God in this same way and find peace. Trust in God! =================================== Follow us: facebook.com/Panahianen instagram.com/PanahianEN twitter.com/PanahianEN telegram.me/PanahianEN =================================== Subscribe: youtube.com/c/PanahianEnglish =================================== See our pages in various languages: Panahian.net Show Less >>