Dipping into the Arsenal ~ Armed With Quietness and Confidence

"This is Caroline," - an introduction by my boss, years ago. (And more than once, I might add.)
Then, behind a hand, he leaned over to loudly whisper the added qualification, "She's our quiet one."
Grin.
Snicker.
Eye roll.
Because, you know, the other person needed to be aware of that piece of information.
Just in case they felt threatened.
Or shocked.
Or needed to know to get a good grip on who I really am.
Just in case by knowing this bit, they would then know how to communicate with me.
Or if they should communicate with me.
Will she talk?
Will she bite?
Or just in case, for some wild, self-gratifying reason, he needed to point out my flaw to explain away my purpose for being there. Because to elevate himself as humourous or relaxed, or whatever persona he was going for, he needed to degrade or devalue me.
The quiet one.
Nothing like having other people label you with negative connotations.
And what do "quiet ones" want to do when someone points out the fact that they fall into that category?
Hide.
Crawl into a hole.
Disappear.
Ummmm ... become quieter.
To sit down and shut up.
To fade away and fear rejection.

But there was this one day ... this one day when I read something. And it was a balm.
Although many years later the label still clings and still stings. Its chains still bind.
But this thing I read all those years ago, came to mind the other day.
While I was thinking about being a warrior.
Of being strong.
While I was thinking about the weapon of joy, and adding to my arsenal.

I read seven words:
"In quietness and confidence is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15, NLT)
I read two words:
Quietness.
Confidence.

The first time I read that, was the first time I felt even a glimmer of the idea that I was okay, even if I was "quiet".
And in my reflection now, I see more clearly. A quiet spirit allows for processing. It is a humbling before the Lord. A quiet spirit allows for listening. It shows a strength of character.
A confident heart allows for God to do His work. It is a revealing of trust in God. A confident heart becomes strong because of the One in whom trust is placed.
And so.
Quietness and confidence.
Armed with both, the chains begin to rattle. Because the purpose of a chain is to hold, confine, trap, restrict. Just what the enemy of our souls wants for us. For how useful is a chained warrior? A prisoner cannot move forward and live free.
In battle, the enemy sometimes captures us.
He binds us up with labels, with words, with actions.
But when we rest in a spirit of quietness, there is time for the Saviour to come in and break the shackles. When we rest in a spirit of confidence, there is a knowing that the Saviour is doing the saving.
And quietness with confidence is a mighty force.
Strength.

As a footnote: it's okay to be a "quiet one".
Once we recognize the difference between being debilitatingly intimidated by others or feeling worthless, and being wise and mindful, knowing your value,  there is a chain-breaking moment. Never let people put you into chains. That's just the enemy doing his work.
What he intended for perceived weakness, God turns into battle-worthy strength.

Be joyful.
Be quiet.
Be confident.
Those weapons placed in the right hands become mighty tools to wield.