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Even the healthiest and most beautiful people struggle with insecurities especially when we are living in the social media era where perfection is glorified and humiliation comes easily. As believers, how do we biblically overcome insecurity? It takes more than just repeating nice quotes to yourself, Jesus offers us stronger solutions.
What Is Insecurity in the Bible?
Insecurity by definition is the uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.
Biblically, insecurity is fear. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind."
Fear in Greek is the word deilia meaning cowardice or timidity. Timidity is a synonym of insecurity.
Insecurity happens when you experience something that causes self-doubt, anxiety, and fear. It's similar to the "fight or flight" emotion that throws your body into a panic. Emotionally, you feel threatened by something. For example, you could feel threatened when you see your friends dressed up better than you, when someone praises another person for their accomplishments, or when you see images online of superfit models.
These situations and others can all trigger insecurity in your mind because you don't feel good enough about yourself. Insecurity is being afraid that you don't measure up.
Because you have fear about yourself, it robs you of power, a sound mind, and love for other people. Your mind will be filled with intrusive thoughts and lies from the enemy, which weakens your ability to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, which then causes you to be fruitless and carnal. Instead of bold confidence and sharing God's love with others, you're comparing yourself, you're competitive, and might even be jealous.
Although this is a natural occurrence when you feel this emotion, spiritually it is an attack against your faith and your identity.
Who Told You You Were Naked?
Here's a profound truth I heard on Instagram by @iamgracestone.
After Adam and Eve sinned, they saw themselves as a shameful disgrace and decided to hide themselves. When God found them, He asked, "Who told you you were naked?" In other words, who told you you were too skinny, too fat, too this, and too that? What situation made you feel ashamed and caused you to hide who you are?
The words and influences of others can make us feel inadequate which creates fear and anxiety about ourselves. Remember what God destined for Adam and Eve, they were people who had dominion on earth and fellowship with God, they were unashamed of their true form. Until the enemy planted doubt in their minds and they followed through on it.
If only they held on to what God already affirmed about them and what they should do, it would've been a different story. How does this relate to you? What identity in Christ have you stepped down from to believe the lies of the devil?
But God always has a plan to get us back on track.
3 Steps to Overcome Insecurity
To overcome insecurity, you should identify what are the circumstances that caused them. You wouldn't feel threatened or fearful unless something made you feel unsafe. It may be painful, but take inventory of those situations or words that made you feel unworthy or unsafe.
Maybe you're always getting cheated on and you're unsure of yourself now. Whatever it is, be self-aware about it.
It's time to put a stop to those things. Once you have the inventory of what caused your insecurities, figure out what is happening now that continues to trigger them. This helps you develop awareness of yourself and your surroundings so that you can form a plan of action. It could be intrusive thoughts, social media, wrong relationships, music, figure out what's constantly triggering fear.
Repent for allowing these circumstances to put a spirit of fear in you. The Bible says God did not give you this spirit, so you must repent for allowing it to have access to you. Once you repent, you are free to turn in a new direction. Walk in the truth of God's word by studying and praying the scriptures into your heart and mind.
The Bible says, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty through God to pulling down strongholds." - 2 Corinthians 10:4
Next Steps
It's worth noting that step number 3 is a consistent strategy for engaging in spiritual warfare and winning your battles. But you aren't doing this alone. You have access through God's Holy Spirit to help you get the victory and become a healthier version of yourself.
You also have the Body of Christ to support you in walking out your faith and keeping you accountable for spiritual growth. That's why I created the free Bold & Beautiful Course: Overcome Insecurity and the Fear of Opinions.
In this course you will learn:
where insecurity comes from and how to break up with it
how to overcome your fear of people and their opinions
what insecurity reveals about your needs and desires
my practical tool to help you take control of your thoughts
plus bonus content
It's all free so get in now and start getting victory over insecurity and fear of people.
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