Part II & III on Insecurities

January 6, 2005
The Landmine of Insecurity
Psalm 40:1-5

Insecurity may not sound as explosive as the landmines of pride or jealousy, but it, too, is very dangerous. A great deal of damage can result in the life a person who habitually feels insecure. Such feelings can develop from many different situations. We may experience tragedy like the loss of parent in our early life, or grow up in an environment that throws us off balance. Sometimes we are insecure because of major failures we experience.

Whatever the root causes for insecurity, the effects are often similar. We may be indecisive because our fear of making the wrong choice leads us to avoid decisions altogether. Often we have a difficult time establishing lasting relationships because we believe we will not be a good friend. Or we might keep our distance due to a fear of rejection - people will frequently perceive this as pride or snobbery.

Over time, we may become critical of others. When we are hurting, we often want other people to feel bad too. At the same time, we unfortunately often fall into the trap of believing that success is based on approval and acceptance by others. The truth is that God has a special path for your life, where success cannot be measured by human praise.

Insecurity is not something we can confess and thereby gain freedom. Rather, it is a condition that must be confronted over a long period of time. Ultimately, we must make the decision to trust what God says about us and not what Satan whispers. Tomorrow we will learn how God can restore our security.

January 7, 2005
Overcoming Insecurity
Romans 8:33-39

No quick solution exists for overcoming insecurity. First, we have to acknowledge that we feel insecure. Then we should try to identify which circumstances generate those feelings. Finally, we must decide to overcome that state of mind. "Drifting" into security is impossible; we must instead work toward it.

Having a sense of security is more than simply building self-esteem. Jesus Christ is our genuine source of strength and confidence - if we try to overcome insecurity without Him, we will simply be masking it with our own efforts.

The way we see ourselves is not necessarily the way we truly are. Instead, we have to ask how God sees us. To shift our focus off ourselves and our mistakes, we must get into the Word of God. Therefore, to overcome insecurity, we must first deal with any doubts we may have about the Bible. Scripture is so powerful that when we read what God says about us, our thinking will start to change and we will be able to step out of insecurity's destructive mindset.

To continue the process, focus on the positive qualities in your life. Take a blank sheet of paper, and ask the Lord to guide you to an honest assessment of your advantageous traits. You will be surprised at what God shows you. But it is important not to look at others' talents to see how you measure up. No one is like you, so it is pointless to make comparisons. Our mission is to follow Jesus in the way that He calls us individually, looking to Him for our security