Do you find yourself short on confidence with feelings of self-doubt? Despite your accomplishments, do you often feel like a fraud destined to be exposed? Many believers regularly struggle with insecurity.
With all the technological advances and the constant changes taking place daily, many people, young, middle-aged and old, are doing their best to cope. But the end result is all too often feelings of being overwhelmed, inadequate and insecure.
In the work force you may feel unable to handle whatever’s coming next. Many try to convince themselves they can handle their duties but by the end of the week, even working overtime, juggling and in spite of succeeding on many levels, they are still left with feelings of failure. In personal relationships you may also feel inadequate, and live in fear that the other people in your life will discover the “real” you and pull away.
Insecurity is often rooted in 3 basic causes in the natural realm. 1: Insecurity based on a recent failure or rejection; 2. Lack of confidence due to social anxiety; 3. Insecurity Driven by perfectionism.
Many of us experience a lack of confidence in social situations like parties, family gatherings, interviews, and relationships. The fear of being evaluated by others—and found to be lacking—can lead you to feel anxious and self-conscious. But the Holy Spirit is the strength of the believer, along with faith that comes from believing and acting on what God has said.
The apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Obviously, it is easy to say, yet hard to do. Nevertheless, a huge step in overcoming insecurity and inadequacy is to make the personal choice to let the power of Christ rest on you. Make God’s Word the final authority in your life. You may wonder how to do that in practical terms.
The “real” you is changeable—you are the person you believe you are in your heart. If you can get your image of yourself in agreement with God’s image of you, most of your insecurities will fade away. When you read who God thinks you are and you speak those truths about yourself more than think the negative thoughts, the “real” you will become someone you like being.
The Bible tells us to bring EVERY thought captive and to think of good things, positive things, things we are grateful for. When we line up with God’s ways by controlling what we think and say, our feelings change. Emotions are like the caboose on a train. They follow where the engine leads. You can lead by what you say, think, and the actions you take. For good or destruction—you have been given control of your life and well-being. Feelings are often given too much credibility when in reality they are like a cloud. They move and swirl and often hide the truth from us. You can fly above the clouds by taking negative thoughts captive and replacing them with good thoughts and words. Your feelings will follow.
A very special partner of DBM recently wrote, “I was struggling again this morning. But now, because of your teaching about speaking God’s promises, I’m doing something very different. Today won’t end with me curling up into a ball and sitting alone in my tiny apartment. I am standing on God’s promises. I am speaking His word out loud as I march around my little place. Today will end with me being victorious because God is my protector… and I’m hidden in the Rock of Jesus Christ.”
I’m certain our partner above is not the only one who struggles in this way. And what a victory that this person made a quality decision to take control God’s way. But let me share with you a sort of ‘cheat sheet’ to replace the voice of fear with the truth of God’s Word. The next time you experience feelings of insecurity, inadequacy and anxiety, pull out God’s promises and bathe yourself in these truths from Scripture.
Take authority over Satan and bring down the lies of the enemy by taking quality time to proclaim His promises out loud. Afterwards you can rest in Christ.
Here are some promises that you many find helpful to genuinely gain confidence and turn your life around for the glory of the Lord. Consider placing yourself in these scriptures when you speak them and don’t forget to thank God for these powerful truths in your life.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” As an example, you may want to speak the above scriptures like this: The Lord goes before me. He is with me. He will not leave me or forsake me. I will not fear or be dismayed! Make it personal to you.
1 Peter 5:7-8
“…casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” If I was struggling, I might speak this scripture like this: I’m throwing all my fear and care on you, Lord. Because I know you love me and want what’s best for me. I will be diligent and alert because I know my enemy, the devil, is looking to destroy me. Thank you Lord for your protection and your promises for me.
Continue to find ways to speak and think the principles in these Bible promises to change into the person God says you are.
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Philippians 4:5b-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Romans 8:26
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
After you have quoted these promises out loud, continue speaking words such as these below. When you speak words out loud, you will hear yourself speak the words. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:17 that “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” There is power in speaking God’s Word and hearing it spoken out loud. You heart will believe what your ears hear. Over time your heart will change. You already know that as a man thinks in his heart … so is he. So why not give it a try. Say this:
- I will NOT let my feelings and my fears dictate to me. I am a conqueror through Christ.
- I will speak what God says about me out loud and believe it.
- I will acquire my worth, my value and my confidence from knowing whose I am in Christ Jesus.
- I will find rest in God.
- I will pray in the Spirit and allow Him to tweak my daily actions.
Let us know how you’re doing. You can do it. With God nothing is impossible!
Always your brother and sister,
Dale and Paula
P.S. There is no greater and more important decision you can make in this lifetime than where you will spend eternity. Click BOOK YOUR HEAVEN FLIGHT for more information:
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