I watched an oldie yet a goodie recently—yes, I watched The Lizzie McGuire Movie. One of my favorites, truly. And I was watching it, as a full-grown 23-year-old (almost 24), and noticed some things that my 10-year-old self didn’t pick up on. Obviously, because my 23-year-old self now has crippling anxiety, is learning how to be an adult, and trying to live on her own—The Lizzie McGuire Movie taught me some valuable lessons about confidence, comparing yourself, and just overall, loving yourself. It’s funny what you don’t pick up in your childhood, and then you can watch it 10-12 years later and pick it up then. It’s also hilarious what God can show you through even a Disney Channel movie. But I can talk about that later. 

1. If you spend your time comparing yourself to people, then you will fail. 

Lizzie, at her junior high graduation, was asked to speak on the day of. Margaret Chen, the valedictorian and class president, was sick “with ebola or a nasty cold.” I mean, in this climate, let’s be glad that she stayed home. Lizzie stepped in, unwillingly, but kept hearing the voice of her teacher who asked her to fill in. “Give as much pride and commitment as Margaret Chen would have...but you’re nothing like Margaret Chen.” And those words—those last six words—were running through Lizzie’s head as she gave her speech, and literally...toppled the entire stage to the ground, ruining the graduation. She was comparing herself to Margaret Chen the whole time. She thought, “I’m just the treasurer. I’m nothing like Margaret Chen. I can’t do this.” (And she also had massive stage fright.) And what did those thoughts, those comparison thoughts, give her? A ruined graduation. 

You see, we’re often Lizzie. When we spend time comparing ourselves to what other people could do in our position, then we won’t actually get the job done. We will focus so much on other people that we forget our own capabilities and our unique abilities. When we spend time worrying about what other people could do, we fail at what we could do. We tend to let these thoughts that say, “I can’t do this,” control our entire mindset and really, if we let those thoughts control our actions, then we will fail.

Romans 12:2 (CSB) says this, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Absolutely love this verse. I’m going to say this age-old quote by Teddy Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Don’t compare yourself to others—instead, turn your mind upon Jesus and what is good, pleasing and the perfect will of God. I struggle with comparison SO MUCH, pretty much every day. I often compare myself to everyone—based on looks, accomplishments, what college I went to, what career I’m in, where I live...bottom line, it’s sin. Really. But I try to keep my eyes on Jesus and I keep my thoughts on anything good and worth pleasing to God, and I find myself comparing myself less and less, praying and devoting myself to God, eventually I’ll stop comparing myself to the world and worrying about what people think altogether.

2. Becoming confident means being yourself, not being someone else—or someone else’s expectations of you.

I was trying to remember a particular scene where Lizzie found her confidence instantly. But I couldn’t. I guess you could argue the scene of the fashion try-on show (iconic), she realized that she could design her own clothes...but she was pretending to be someone else. She was pretending to be Isabella! And Pablo was convincing her to do so, telling her she's beautiful as she’s pretending to be someone else. 

Confidence is not found overnight. You don’t just magically become confident overnight. It doesn’t just happen to you all of a sudden in one day, or by reading some motivational quote on Pinterest or on an Instagram story. You especially don’t become confident by trying to be like someone else. (Lol @ me) It takes time, discipline, and staying rooted in God’s word. You become confident when you realize who you are as a person, and when you put your identity in Christ.  

Lizzie eventually found her confidence at the end. She found her confidence when she was onstage. She was terrified and scared, and she almost ran away (after exposing Pablo of course). But she didn’t run away. She was forced to sing, and she did it! Because of that, because she stepped out of her comfort zone, she found her confidence.

God sees you as yourself and loves everything about you. You’re unique and you have a unique story to share. God wants you to take the stage and step out of your comfort zone—and ultimately, boldly proclaim the gospel.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (CSB) says this, “So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.” Remember to walk confidently in your faith. Start shedding your worldly desires and start turning your eyes upon Jesus. That results in true confidence—when you start living for Jesus and stop living in sinful things. But building confidence takes endurance—it literally takes daily practice in building confidence in Christ Jesus.

3. Boys are dumb, let’s be honest. So why do we place our worth and confidence in them? 

And I’m not just talking about Ethan Craft! I’m talking about Pablo, everyone—Pablo, the gorgeous Italian pop star who was sooo handsome. Stop trying to get your confidence from a boy. (Disclaimer: note I used the word “boy.” Men are different; they’re more mature and I’m not throwing shade at Godly men!) Just because some guy says something like “you are the light that comes from the sun” (bleh) or something like that, doesn’t mean he hasn’t used that line on some other girl! Stop basing your confidence in some guy. Lizzie got her confidence from what some guy (Pablo) told her—that she was the light that came from the sun, she’s beautiful, she can be his partner. But then Pablo turned out to be blah. As believers, we need to place our confidence and identity in Jesus. When you admit your weaknesses and submit to Him as your savior, He promises eternal life with our Father in heaven. If you struggle with this, take this to God.

And if that didn’t convince you, go back to when I said to shed your worldly desires. These desires won’t satisfy you forever; they’re bad things for you disguised as good. Sure, a guy like Pablo is gorgeous and an Italian pop star, but he was lip synching! He was faking it! He literally disguised himself as a good singer when in reality, he was bad at singing. The devil likes to disguise himself as “good” things, but when in reality, they’re not good for you. Trust in the Lord, and pray for spiritual discernment.

What Now? 

Take these verses that I included above as well as below, and write them down! They can help with building confidence in Christ. Stop trying to put your confidence in things like Instagram, college degrees, accomplishments, affirmations, relationships, etc. You become confident when you shed these earthly desires and start living in the Lord. If you struggle with confidence, take it to the Lord. Keep 1 Peter 5:6-9 (ESV) in mind as you pray for confidence: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.”

“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” 

Isaiah 40:31 (CSB)

“I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.”

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (CSB)

Paul writes this (1 Cor 2:3-5) to the church of Corinth and he says earlier, “I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom.” You see, Paul admits his weakness. In fact, it’s reported that Paul had a little case of stage fright, like my girl Lizzie McGuire. But in his weakness, he proclaims the gospel and his love for Christ boldly and confidently. He remained in Christ, and Christ remained in Him. And so he encourages the church of Corinth to walk and remain (abide) boldly and confidently in Christ. Stop letting others (human wisdom) determine how you see yourself; your faith rests on God’s power, which is infinite.

*If you’re still struggling with confidence and self-esteem, don’t just look to a blog post or podcast or sermon. Turn to God’s Word. Because that’s where you’ll finding confidence in not only yourself, but in Jesus.

Overall, The Lizzie McGuire Movie has taught me a loooot of things, specifically about confidence. I really enjoyed the lessons that God put on my heart while watching something like a DCOM movie. Now, I just need Lizzie McGuire to come back on TV! (As a full-grown adult trying to navigate life.)