How to Battle Insecurity
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
The insecurity bug gets us all every now and then. But calling it a bug is quite misleading, for it’s more like a leech: the longer it’s left attached to you, the more life it will suck out of your veins. Pretty picture, right?
All we have to do to get insecure these days is open our eyes and look around. There’s plenty for our wandering hearts to get insecure about because we live in such an uncertain world full of uncertain people with uncertain motives and agendas. If we’re waiting for this world (or anyone in it) to give us our security, then we’ll be waiting around for it forever. So how can we walk in the confidence and security that we long for so desperately?
We do battle with insecurity when we replace every lie with the truth.
I’ve heard it this way before: You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from making a nest in your hair. We can’t always stop a negative or insecure thought from popping into your mind. And if you consider that a failure then you’ll walk in constant defeat and keep yourself in bondage to it. But we do have control over our thoughts once it comes.
We have to decide if we’re going to receive this thought as our truth or cast it out and replace it with the word. I would say I’ve always been pretty good at knowing when a lie has weaseled its way into my thoughts. But I would simply acknowledge that it was a lie and then move on. I didn’t realize that if I didn’t take the thought captive, cast it out and replace it with truth, that lie had legal right to stick around and filter everything else I saw and heard through its murky lens.
So how can we detect the lies? After all, they’re not always so easy to identify. It says in Hebrews 4:12 that the word of God is alive and powerful. It’s sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, and exposing our innermost thoughts and desires. When we spend time in God’s word, it comes alive in our hearts and separates the lies from the truth. The light always exposes the darkness.
When a lie comes against your mind, expose it with the word of God and replace it with His truth.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
If you’re unsure of God’s love for you…
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
If you’re uncomfortable with your body image…
“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!”
If you’re afraid you’ll end up alone…
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
If you’re uncertain about your future…
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Write down the lies that plague your mind and then write out the truth from God’s word to counter those lies. That way, whenever they try to come knocking on your door, you can answer back with confidence, wielding the sword that’s been entrusted to you by your heavenly Father.
So don't let those insecure thoughts get you down. Rise up, cut them down, and speak the truth. Then throw your shoulders back and walk like you own the place because, well.. you do!
xxo,
Jess