Let's be honest, there are few things in life quite as satisfying as hearing the words:
I'm Convinced. Those are the words that say "We are now on the same page. I wholeheartedly trust you."
It isn't just a casual "Ok, whatever you say. " Or a doubt filled "I believe you today, but hopefully it's still true tomorrow." It's a statement that fully embraces the validity of what you say and the character of who you are. But a statement that does that, isn't something that comes lightly. It is the end result of a journey that leads to beginning of a new one. After a period of time of carefully examining a claim, two people come to a place where they walk forward hand in hand, side by side. There's a level of trust there that was not before. Where there was hesitancy, disbelief ,or doubt, there is now an attitude of "I'm in. Let's do this."
Over and over the Bible tells us stories of this journey. The disciples are prime examples:
Nathanael, Peter, Thomas, John, James, etc. Each of these men started out not really fully believing the claims of Jesus. They questioned, denied, and doubted him. But something changed. All of the sudden they were willing to die because of Him. Be flayed alive because of Him. Beheaded because of Him.
Why?
They finally understood who Jesus was and what He came to do. And as a result, they finally understood who they were...
Chosen.
Adopted.
By the God who willing died so they could have a reconciled relationship with Him.
By the God who the grave couldn't hold.
By the God who created all things and will one day make all things right again.
With that reality before them, these men were filled with a hope and a confidence that were undeniable:
"Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one - for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one - for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us...I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."
Romans 8:33-34;38
If ever there was a life giving, joy filling, hope grasping thing to speak over yourself when faced with the troubles of this life and the lies of this world... I'm convinced - that's it.