The Confidence Pivot: Building Trust in God, One Step at a Time

Let’s talk about confidence. Not the kind the world sells us—rooted in image, perfection, or performance—but the kind that grows deep in your soul. The kind that remains steady even when the ground beneath your feet shifts. The kind that whispers, “You’re still okay,” even when life screams otherwise.

That kind of confidence isn’t manufactured. It’s cultivated. It’s intentional. And it starts with trust. In every relationship, trust takes time. It’s not automatic. You don’t trust someone after a quick introduction or a single conversation. You trust them because you’ve watched their character, experienced their consistency, and shared vulnerable spaces together. The same is true with God.

The more time you spend with Him, the more you trust Him. And the more you trust Him, the more confident you become in who you are.

This was one of the biggest lessons I learned during a season I never asked for: the year everything changed.

My Own Pivot

In The PIVOT Principle: When Changing Direction Happens, I write about a very personal moment in my life. In 2018, my world was turned upside down. My son, a promising athlete, suffered a life-threatening accident. At the same time, I had just stepped into a dream job as an HR leader in the NBA. From the outside, it looked like a high point in my career. But emotionally and spiritually, I was trying to hold everything together while everything was falling apart.

It was in that storm that I began to understand what it meant to pivot. In basketball, a pivot is a purposeful shift. One foot stays grounded while the other moves in a new direction. The goal isn’t to spin in circles—it’s to protect the ball, reassess the court, and position yourself for your next best move.

That’s what I had to do with my life. And that’s what led me to create the PIVOT Routine—five daily habits to help people navigate change with peace, clarity, and confidence:

Pray. Investigate. Visualize. Offer. Train.

But here’s the truth: None of those habits would have meant anything if I didn’t trust the One I was pivoting with.

Time Builds Trust

Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT) says, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”

That verse doesn’t say confidence comes from being talented or flawless. It doesn’t say confidence comes when that selfie looks perfect. It says confidence comes from trusting the Lord—and making Him your hope.

Making Him your hope is a daily decision. And like any relationship, it requires presence.

It’s easy to get caught up in doing for God and forget to be with God. But the more I intentionally made space for prayer, stillness, and Scripture—not to perform, but just to be—the more I recognized His voice over the noise. I started to believe what He said about me, not just what the world expected of me. And that belief gave me the courage to keep going when nothing made sense.

The Pivot Builds Confidence

Every woman reading this knows what it feels like to doubt. To wonder if you’re enough. To feel like you’re failing at being the perfect mom, wife, leader, or friend. But I’ve learned that confidence is not the absence of doubt—it’s the presence of trust.

When you know who you’re pivoting with, you don’t panic. You stay grounded.

That’s why I started Pivot Well, LLC—not just as a business, but as a ministry. It’s a coaching and consulting practice that equips women to pause, realign, and confidently pivot toward the life God is calling them to live.

Because confidence isn’t just about walking boldly. It’s about walking closely—with God.

How to Build Confidence in Christ (Starting Today)

Here’s what I tell my clients and what I had to live out for myself:

1. Start with Prayer, Not Perfection.

You don’t need a 60-minute quiet time to earn God’s love. You need a surrendered heart. One prayer, one pause, one breath that says, “God, I trust You today,” is enough to start.

2. Investigate the Lies.

Confidence fades when we believe the wrong narrative. What lie are you believing about yourself? God’s Word is the mirror you need. (Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” NLT)

3. Visualize His Promises.

Don’t just focus on problems. Focus on God’s promises. Imagine your life aligned with His truth, not your fear.

4. Offer Your Day.

Confidence grows when you remember your life isn’t just yours. Each day is an offering. Say, “Lord, use me.”

5. Train Your Mind.

Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Confidence is a muscle. Train it with truth.

Final Thought

You weren’t meant to fake confidence. People see right through fake confidence. You were meant to build it—on the rock that cannot be shaken.

If you feel unsure, anxious, or like you’re starting over in this season, let me remind you: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are simply being invited to pivot—with God’s hand in yours.

So take the step. Stay grounded. And trust the process.

Because the more time you spend with the Father, the more confident you’ll become in the daughter He created you to be.

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Connect with Dr. Shelley Kemp on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or visit her website at www.shelleykemp.com. Everyone deserves a great coach. If you could use an accountability partner or coach, speaker, or trainer, contact Shelley today!