What if I’m Not Enough?
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13( NIV)
“No one would like the real you,” whispered Insecurity in my head. You don’t fit in. You’re socially awkward. You aren’t as pretty, or as smart, or as sophisticated as them. Does that thought ever run through your head too? I was in eighth grade the day that insecurity slipped into my life and started to follow me around like an unwanted friend.
It was the day that I wore my new pantyhose to school, and they developed a terrible run. The only thing I wanted that day was to keep the run out of sight and stop it from getting worse. I was amazed and hopeful when three girls kindly offered some clear nail polish to me and said it would help. I didn’t think that they liked me, so their offer was a nice surprise. When class ended, I stayed behind and carefully applied that nail polish to my run. To my horror, it wasn’t nail polish in that bottle. It was glue. Fourteen-year-old mortified me wanted to become invisible. That day insecurity entered my life as the shadow that I didn’t request.
Insecurity told me that I wasn’t accepted. I wasn’t cool. I was naïve and easy to prank. What does insecurity tell you? Does he tell you that you aren’t worthy, you’re different from other people, you’re socially awkward, you won’t be accepted?
None of those thoughts are what God says. God says we are loved. We are chosen. We are valuable. We are his treasured possession.
That may be true, but that isn’t how we feel. How do we shed the shadow of insecurity when it’s an ever-present whisper lurking in the back of our minds?
We need to find our confidence in who God says we are. This is easier said than done, but we can learn from the story of Moses.
Moses was a Hebrew with modest beginnings raised by Egyptians in the palace. He never really fit in. As a child, he was raised by foreigners. As an adult, he was shamed by his own people. When Moses felt humiliated, insecurity swept in and flooded Moses’ soul, and Moses fled to the desert of Midian to live the rest of his life alone.
The enemy uses insecurity to keep us from the purpose that God appointed for us.
God cares too much about us to allow that to happen. While Moses prepared to live the rest of his life in Midian, God met him in a burning bush and reminded Moses that he was important, valuable, created with a purpose, able to do what God ordained for him. God would tell you the same thing too.
The solution to overcoming self-doubt is found in the company of our creator. Insecurity cowers in the presence of Almighty God.
Where are you spending your time? Are you hiding away in isolation to protect yourself from feeling hurt, or are you hunkering down with the Spirit to absorb His healing words? Here are some promises that God wants you to know. In the following sentences, put your name in the blanks.
___________, I made you perfectly. (Psalm 139:14)
I have great plans for you, __________, plans to give your life meaning and joy. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I will protect you, _____________. (Isaiah 41:10)
I chose you, ___________. (1 Peter 2:9)
Do not be afraid, ________ because I go with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
___________, you are my valued workmanship. (Eph 2:10)
You are precious, and honored, and I love you ________ (Isaiah 43:4).
Listen to my words, _________. (Proverbs 2:1-5)
You can replace the lies in your head with the truth from God’s word, because of His promise in Philippians 4:13: “All things are possible with God who gives you strength. “ (NIV)
With newfound confidence, you can pursue the meaningful purpose that God has for you. Will you believe Him?
Dear God, I want to feel the way you view me, treasured, capable, and valuable. Help me to believe your truths. Help me to hear your words and shut out the lies that insecurity tells me. Remind me every day how valuable I am to you and give me confidence and direction to do what you created me to do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Resources to Help
Songs:
King of My Heart (Bethel)
Spirit of the Living God (Vertical Worship)
Let it Happen (United Pursuit)
Book:
“Uninvited” by Lysa TerKeurst
