Self-Efficacy and Faith: Building Confidence Grounded in Christ

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Introduction

Have you ever felt stuck between what you want to do and what you actually follow through on? Whether it’s building healthier habits, managing or improving a chronic condition, or overcoming obstacles and persevering through trials, much of it comes down to a concept called self-efficacy. And for the Christian, this isn’t rooted in self at all—it’s rooted in Christ Jesus.

What is self-efficacy?

Self-efficacy is a term that describes the belief we have in our ability to succeed, follow through, and make changes in our lives. It starts in childhood, and it can be strengthened—or weakened—by what we experience and the voices we hear around us.

For example, someone who grew up being criticized, bullied, or verbally abused may struggle with feelings of inadequacy. A lifetime of disappointments or failures can also chip away at one’s confidence. On the other hand, positive encouragement and nurturing can foster a strong sense of “I can.”

But it’s important to remember: personality plays a role, too. Two people can walk through the very same trial, yet respond in completely different ways. One may grow more resilient while the other may feel defeated.

The good news is that self-efficacy is not fixed. It can be developed and strengthened, no matter what your past looked like, how old you are, what condition(s) you have, or what challenges life has thrown at you.

Why does self-efficacy matter for habit change?

When it comes to making lifestyle changes—whether eating healthier, moving more, or breaking harmful patterns or habits—self-efficacy is often the dividing line between giving up and pressing on.

• A person with strong self-efficacy tends to believe, “This will be hard, but I can do it.” They step into challenges with a sense of capability, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and keep moving forward. When setbacks happen, they’re more likely to see them as chances to learn and grow rather than reasons to quit.

• A person with low self-efficacy may feel they are not able or capable. Sometimes they don’t even try, avoiding challenges altogether or never starting because they expect to fail. Other times they start out motivated, but the moment something goes wrong, their confidence crumbles and they give up quickly. They also tend to view setbacks negatively—as proof of failure—rather than as opportunities to learn and grow.

This is why cultivating self-efficacy is so critical—it shapes not just our mindset but our choices and how we respond.

Self-efficacy and faith

At first glance, “self-efficacy” seems to suggest relying on ourselves for strength. But as Christians, we know that our strength is not rooted in self—it’s rooted in Christ Jesus.

Scripture reminds us of this truth:

• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

• “We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:37).

• “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall” (Ps 18:29).

• “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11).

Faith in God—His ability, His wisdom, His strength, His character, His nature, and His enduring love for us—becomes the undergirding of our self-efficacy. It’s not about our might or power. It’s about knowing who we are in Christ and standing firm in the truth of what He has already done for us. Our confidence doesn’t rest in ourselves: it rests in Him.

When we fully understand what Jesus did for us at Calvary—what He endured, what He overcame and conquered—we begin to see that His victory has become our victory. As re-born believers, we have access to that power through faith in Him. This changes our entire perspective. It fuels our determination, strengthens our perseverance, and ignites our desire to overcome trials, habits, and obstacles—not in our own ability, but through His.

Scripture tells us we overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” (Rev 12:11). You only get a testimony when you’ve gone through a test. Every challenge we face becomes an opportunity not only to rely on Christ’s strength but to walk out the other side refined, strengthened, and changed. With each trial, another part of the “old man” passes away and more of the “new man” in Christ is revealed. That lived experience, joined with Christ’s finished work, builds faith and self-efficacy (confidence) to keep pressing forward.

Jesus: our perfect role model

One of the most powerful ways self-efficacy grows is by watching someone else succeed. When we see another person face a challenge and overcome it, something in us says, “If they can do it, maybe I can too.” God designed us to be encouraged through example, and for us as believers, the ultimate example is Jesus.

We can never say to Him, “You don’t understand what I’m going through.” Hebrews 4:15 (AMP) reminds us: “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.”

Whatever trial, temptation, or challenge we face, Jesus has walked that road. He knows what it feels like to be human. He understands our weaknesses, yet He overcame every one of them without sin. That means when we look to Him, we don’t just see a Savior. We see the perfect role model of endurance, faithfulness, submission, and victory.

Self-efficacy and our health habits

From a health perspective, this truth becomes even more personal. Jesus not only bore our sins at Calvary, but also our sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities. Knowing this ignites our faith to believe for divine healing—not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

When we recognize that He carried it all, we can co-labor with Him from our side by making positive lifestyle choices that support that belief. Instead of feeling powerless, we begin to see every healthy step we take—whether in eating, movement, rest, or stress management—as an act of faith and worship, partnering with the healing He has already provided.

For example, when you choose a nourishing meal instead of defaulting to processed foods, you are aligning your actions with your belief that your body is God’s temple and worth caring for. When you choose rest over overwork, you’re demonstrating trust that God is in control, not you. These may seem like small decisions, but they build confidence over time and strengthen the belief that change is possible because it’s anchored in Him.

And again, Jesus is our role model here. He endured suffering and overcame, showing us that there is nothing we face in our bodies or minds that He does not understand. This gives us confidence not just to believe for healing, but to take the small, steady steps that align our daily habits with His promises.

How do we improve our self-efficacy?

Renew our mind

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” Scripture goes even deeper: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). Much of our struggle lies in our thought life. We are often our own worst enemy, rehearsing doubts or failures instead of rehearsing faith and truth. By renewing our minds with God’s Word, we begin to align our thoughts with His promises and shift from “I can’t” to “With Christ, I can.”

Learn through mastery

One of the most effective ways to strengthen self-efficacy is to go through a challenge and succeed. But success needs to be understood correctly. Too often, we define it narrowly—by our own standards or by the world’s. When things don’t go as we expected, we may feel discouraged and give up. But that doesn’t mean we truly failed. God gives us the freedom to make choices, and when those choices don’t turn out as planned, we still have the opportunity to learn, grow, and discover new strategies. Real success often looks like perseverance, humility, or character being built—things we may not have recognized if we only look at outcomes.

Be open to Holy Spirit

Another way to grow is by being sensitive to Holy Spirit’s gentle voice. He is our Teacher, Comforter, and Guide. When we experience setbacks or frustrations, Holy Spirit can help us see through the fog of subjectivity to the truth from God’s objective perspective, showing us what we might have missed. His encouragement is always loving, and His guidance points us toward growth and greater dependence on Christ.

Seek social support

We weren’t created to do life in isolation. Support from others, whether through a Bible study group, a mentor, a trusted friend or family member, or even a biblical health coach, can provide encouragement, accountability, and perspective. Having someone to encourage us or to gently challenge us when we feel like giving up can make all the difference in building lasting confidence.

Take practical steps

Self-efficacy grows when we take one small step at a time. Setting realistic goals and celebrating progress—no matter how small—creates momentum. Think of it like climbing a rope in gym class: a smooth rope is nearly impossible to climb, but a rope with knots tied along the way gives you something to grip onto and push against. Each small, intentional step you take becomes one of those “knots,” helping you climb higher and higher without giving up. In the same way, when you choose one health habit—like drinking more water, getting extra rest, cooking a meal at home, or adding more movement into your day—you’re tying another knot in your rope. Over time, those knots add up, making the climb not only possible but purposeful.

Building self-efficacy is less about giant leaps and more about those small everyday decisions and choices. With that in mind, let’s pause and reflect together in the Health Coach’s Corner.

Health Coach’s Corner: Reflect & Apply

Here are some open-ended questions to help you reflect on your own self-efficacy and faith:

• What small, consistent step could you start this week that would build both your health and your confidence in God’s strength working through you?

• Think of a time when you made a positive change in your health. What helped you believe you could do it, and how might those lessons apply today?

• In what ways has God already provided “knots” in your rope—through Scripture, prayer, supportive people, or past lessons—that you might be overlooking?

• If you were to picture your rope one year from now, what knots do you want to see tied into it? How would reaching higher change your daily life? What help would you need to get there?

Final encouragement

Building self-efficacy and strengthening your faith go hand in hand. As your faith grows, the choices you make in your daily life begin to reflect His truth, and the results can be life-changing.

When challenges arise—as they always will—you can remember that failure is not the end of the road. Each step forward, no matter how small, is evidence that God is shaping you into who He’s called you to be. He is, after all, the Master Potter and we are the clay in His hands (Is 64:8).

Jesus has already shown us the perfect example of faith lived out. We don’t walk this journey alone or without direction. Instead, we’re invited to follow Him one decision at a time, one day at a time, with the assurance that His grace will carry us when our own strength falters.

So as you reflect, I encourage you to take what you’ve learned here and apply it to just one area of your life this week. Remember: consistently made small steps lead to lasting change. And with God’s help, you can move forward with both confidence and peace.

Keep holding fast to His promises, keep renewing your mind with His Word, and trust that He will complete the good work He has started in you (Phil 1:6).

Closing thoughts and an invitation

Let’s circle back to the beginning where I asked: Have you ever felt stuck between what you want to do and what you actually follow through on?

For most people, change is easier said than done. We say we want to change, but when it comes to the action part…

Paul says in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep doing.”

I can relate to this! Can you? I’m one that for years fell into the camp of having less self-efficacy than more.

Here’s the truth: lasting change doesn’t come from willpower alone. It comes when faith and health partner together, creating a powerful, God-designed synergy that renews both body and spirit. That’s where the real transformation happens.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Remember: one way to increase self-efficacy is through having the right support.

My calling—and my joy—is to come alongside you, helping you connect the dots between faith, lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition. Through Him Health & Wellness exists to help you experience transformation that is not only science-based but firmly anchored in God’s Word.

Whether through 1-on-1 biblical health coaching or the GLEAN course, you’ll find encouragement, accountability, and guidance to help you move forward. If you are not ready to dive in that deep yet and just want to put your toe in the water, the Grocery Gameplan course will be a good introduction.

Take a moment to reflect: what is one area where God is inviting you to take the next step?

Step forward in faith, and let’s travel this highway together!

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