There are moments in life when one loses faith in oneself and falls prey to self-doubt, fear and anxiety. Self-doubt weakens one from inside, fear kills fresh ideas ; and anxiety destroys the peace of mind. Such weaknesses prove to be a great hurdle on the path of material growth and spiritual enlightenment. One can overcome these hurdles by realising that self-worth is determined not by external validation but by internal assessment. Sri Krishna has proclaimed in shloka 6.5 that one can be the best friend and also the worst enemy of himself. One himself elevates or degrades himself. One can, therefore, uplift himself by cultivating faith in himself, conquering his fears and subduing his worries.
Bhagavad Gita offers profound insights into the causes, effects and also the means of overcoming the internal impairments. It has been figured out that feelings like doubt, anxiety and fear are the outcome of attachment and  ignorance. Therefore, one has been advised to perform his prescribed duty without any selfish attachment, and also strive for spiritual wisdom. It has further been elaborated as to how these goals can be achieved.

Arjuna’s fear and self-doubt before going into the battlefield reflect the inner conflicts which everyone faces in his day-to-day life. But Arjuna’s assertion in the end (shloka 18.73) that his doubts have been dispelled and he has gained wisdom is an assurance to everyone that one can overcome infirmities of his mind by sincerely following the teachings of Sri Krishna. The timeless nuggets of wisdom gathered from the Bhagavad Gita can, thus, be powerful spiritual tools for nurturing confidence in oneself.

Bhagavad Gita has stressed upon the need for getting freedom from fear, anxiety and self-doubt. Fearlessness has been declared to be one of the important traits of those endowed with a divine nature (shlokas from 16.1 to 16.3). Freedom from fear has also been eulogised in shlokas 2.56, 4.10 and 5.28. Krishna has stated in shloka 12.15 that those who are free from fear and anxiety are dear to him. Self-doubt has been identified as one of the impediments in the realisation of spiritual perfection. It has been clarified that doubt arises due to ignorance, and it must be slashed by the sword of wisdom (shloka 4.42).

It has been revealed (in shlokas from 2.17 to 2.25) that one’s essential nature is the soul which cannot be hurt in any manner. When one realises this eternal and indestructible soul within oneself, he faces the challenges of life with greater courage and conviction. There is no failure on the path of spiritual awareness and no effort here goes waste. Even a little effort in this direction saves one from great fear (shloka 2.40).

As revealed in shloka 15.7, every human being is an eternal fragment of the all-pervading Ishvara. He has provided everyone with a unique combination of the senses and the mind to enable them to work towards a more purposeful and fulfilling life. When one discovers this divine connection, he can slay the demons of self-doubt and pursue the ultimate goal of life, with clarity and confidence.

As explained in shlokas from 7.4 to 7.7, all beings are born with a dual nature - consisting of matter (the lower nature) and the souls (the higher nature). Whereas all feelings relate to the material nature, the soul being aware is above all emotions. In other words, even when doubt, fear and anxiety etc. plague one’s body and the mind ; his essential nature, the self, is always free from such afflictions. When one taps into his higher nature, he becomes capable of facing all the vagaries of life courageously.

Bhagavad Gita has described different aspects of meditation in shlokas from 6.10 to 6.28. It has been stated that through the practice of meditation, one connects with the pure consciousness ; and attains contentment, serenity and supreme delight. In such a state of inner harmony, one is not shaken by the biggest of miseries. The voices of uncertainty, anxiety and fear fade away and one gains the confidence to pursue his goals with confidence.

It has been stated in shloka 9.22 that Ishvara takes care of the yogkshem ( i. e. provides the things one needs and protects the things one already possesses) of those who engage in His exclusive devotion. Thus, free from the anxieties of gain and safety, a true devotee can boldly face all the difficulties of life.

Bhagavad Gita has, thus, described various ways and means of realising one’s true nature. When one’s life is illuminated by inner light of the soul ; his thoughts, words and works reflect the core of pure, unbounded spirit. In such a state of spiritual enlightenment, all negative emotions like fear, anxiety and self-doubt automatically get dissipated.

To conclude, when one remains in constant contact with his divine essence, he lives life not with a narrow view, but with a broad vision. In such an enlightened state of existence, one overcomes his unnecessary fears, uncalled for anxieties and frivolous doubts. He lives a life of self-confidence.