Saying Goodbye to Insecurity
Insecurity. Insecurity at its simplest form breaks down into one question. What do you put your security in?
As women, we all have invisible ladders of what we allow to define success. The truth is that most of us feel inadequate or even shaky as we are climbing. Each rung may take us a little bit higher but are we trembling and second-guessing our climb the entire time? Maybe just as you are confident enough to take one more step up the enemy makes you feel like you are an imposter in your own skin. Lies that if people only knew the real you they wouldn’t like you, value you, or respect you. It’s in moments of insecurity and second-guessing that you need to ask yourself the hard question, “What is it that I put my security in?” Is it my job, my role as a mom or wife, is it how many social media friends I have? What or who am I allowing to define my worth? So, if you find yourself feeling insecure, or unsteady… remember these things!
1) Insecurity causes us to lean our ladders of life and success against the wrong walls. If you’ve ever climbed a ladder, you know you are only as stable as that which the ladder is leaning against. To eliminate insecurity, lean against one who is firm and secure—His name is Jesus.
Matthew 7:24-27 (msg) These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build life on.
A life built on Jesus is a ladder pitched to a solid wall. If you struggle with insecurity, chances are you are finding worth in something or somebody other than Jesus. As you spend time in the presence of the Lord through prayer and Bible reading, a miraculous change occurs. You begin to become more like Him. As you are transformed more and more into His image, the opinions and standards that others set become more distant and less gratifying. When Jesus is your foundation, it is you and Jesus and that’s it… and that’s enough. Who you are before the audience of one is a defining moment.
2) Comparison makes insecurity so much worse! Stop comparing—like right now! Go on a social media fast if you have to! Take thoughts of inadequacy captive to the obedience of God’s word. Sweet friend, YOU are ENOUGH! As humans, we have a horrible tendency to compare our greatest weaknesses to the greatest strengths of others. We compare what we know about ourselves, our worst moments, against the highlight reel of other’s lives. If this is you, you are setting yourself up for a mindset of defeat!
Romans 12:4 reminds us that we’re not supposed to be like everyone else. God created you in a specific way for a specific purpose. There is nobody else in the world who can do what you do as well as you do it. Stop replacing yourself with an upgraded mental version of yourself and start embracing who you are! Remember, “Compare and compete will lead to a life of defeat!”
3) Be intentional with your thought life! Not every thought that you have is rooted in truth—and not every thought is worthy of meditation! There are some thoughts that you need to dismiss quickly—drop them like a hot potato! Your thoughts will self-sabotage you!
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
If your thoughts are contrary to what God says about you, they need to be taken captive. Don’t let a rogue thought ruin your day, your mood, or more importantly your self-worth! When a negative thought hits you, be intentional to immediately address it with the truth of God’s word. Verbally declare what God says about you above how you feel or what you think! Take your thoughts captive, or they will keep you captive! (Especially when dealing with insecurity)!
4) Insecurity will keep us from forming relationships. By nature, relationships require a level of vulnerability. If you allow it, insecurity will be a wall that keeps you from growing good friendships. The Bible tells us that we are to sharpen one another. An insecure person can’t stand to have healthy thriving people around them. The relationships God wants to bless you with turn into a threat. The amazing people God wants to surround you with for growth become seen as competition. An insecure person can’t find blessings in relationships because they are caught up in competition, or they become needy for validation. Once again, Colossians 2:10 reminds us that our completeness comes from Christ!
So, it’s time to say goodbye to insecurity! Embrace who Christ made you to be—as you fall more in love with Him you’ll fall more in love with who He’s created you to be! You are anointed, appointed, and equipped for every good work He has called you to! Remember today, you are loved by God (like a lot)!