Having assumed insecurities belonged to the younger version of me, imagine my surprise when I discovered the root cause of recent anxiety rested in a few stubborn insecurities. But an even bigger surprise awaited, when in answer to prayer, God invited me into the safe place of overcoming insecurities with Him.
At times, becoming fully known by others involves a willingness to acknowledge and surrender insecurities to God.
Sitting with insecurities at my age brought feelings of frustration, failure, and shame. Yet sitting in a vulnerable posture before God brought the realization that becoming all Christ intended must also involve the unbecoming of old thought patterns and limiting beliefs.
Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.
Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.
We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.
Insecurities Know No Age Barriers
Unsure of where the idea originated, the belief that insecurities were a malady of the younger generation, plagued me for some days. Battling Imposter Syndrome for what seems like an eternity, forced me to face the unresolved insecurities driving it.
Which clearly revealed overcoming insecurities was the work of a lifetime, not a rite of passage into adulthood.
Just as becoming more Christlike is the work of our full Christian lives on earth, so too, the unbecoming in shedding our insecurities spans our time on earth. Knowing no age barriers, insecurities rear their ugly heads even when we think they lay defeated behind us.
Most commentators agree Moses was at least eighty-years old when he encountered God at the burning bush. Yet this well-educated and privileged man pleaded inadequacy before God when called to serve Him.
Of course, Moses was essentially hiding that little dark secret (Exodus 2:11-13) which led to his sudden departure from Egypt, but his argument of lack of eloquence was rather weak.
Though scripture indicates God became angry with Moses’ lack of confidence, He graciously adapted to those insecurities by sending Aaron to go with him. Ultimately moving Moses into a place of overcoming those same insecurities.
Surrendering Insecurities
The first step to overcoming insecurities involves acknowledging our flaws and areas where we lack confidence to God. Having made us and formed us in the womb, (Psalm 139:13-16) He knows us more intimately than we know ourselves!
Remembering this simple truth emboldens us to sit quietly with Him, surrendering our insecurities to Him allowing Him to breathe courage and confidence into our souls.
Placing our insecurities into God’s hands, not only transforms them, but enables us to truly know God as He intends. In the midst of Moses’ burning bush encounter with God, he learned the key to overcoming his every insecurity.
What’s in a Name?
If you struggle with insecurities or lack of confidence, meditate on the following three ways God revealed Himself to Moses, ultimately moving him to place of victory over his insecurities.
- I Am Who I Am. In revealing His name at Moses request, God not only stated His eternality, but that He would be who Moses needed Him to be. “Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh”, the English translation of the Hebrew in Exodus 3:14 says, “I will be who I will be”. God promises to be exactly what you need when you need Him.
- I Am There. Another nuance of the Hebrew word used for God’s name at the burning bush, “Ehyeh” implies God’s future Presence, “I will be there”, God assures Moses and us, He will go before, in essence preparing the way. (Exodus 4:10-16)
- I Am Here. As God reminded Jacob in Genesis 28:15, he reminded Moses, and reminds us today, He is with us always, and will keep every promise He has made. (Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 1:8, Matthew 28:20) In the midst of your flaws and insecurities, God is with you.
Sitting quietly in the presence of the divine mystery of God’s name, our insecurities melt into insignificance.
Overcoming Insecurities with God
When bound by our insecurities and weaknesses, we sink into excuses and even contradictions, grappling with our own vulnerable identity.
May we find courage in authenticity before God knowing within our very weaknesses lies the opportunity for experiencing more of God’s grace and strength.
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When I was younger, I thought that by 60 yrs old, surely I’d have figured life out and not have any insecurities, any anxieties, etc. I was wrong! lol. I have left some of the old ones behind, thankfully, but have also picked up some new ones as I’ve aged. Being human comes with insecurity, yet I find such beauty in those who remain vulnerable anyway and share about it. Thank you for being vulnerable here with us, Donna!
Great way to see things through the eyes of your One Word, “human” Lisa! Indeed, I agree, being human lends itself to battling insecurities, at any age!!
This is such a powerful truth, Donna, “Sitting in a vulnerable posture before God brought the realization that becoming all Christ intended must also involve the unbecoming of old thought patterns and limiting beliefs.” Whether insecurities or another area, the old man must give way to the new man in Christ. I’m so thankful we have a loving Potter who continues to work on us until these honorable vessels of clay are transformed into His likeness.
Thank you for your excellent thoughts, Lisa, indeed the old man must give way to Christ’s work in the new man!
I’m not sure why we think insecurity is only battled when we are young. It’s amazing to me how it rears its head in my life every now and again. I love that you reminded me of Moses, whose insecurities melted away as he sat with God and let Him reveal Himself to him. “Placing our insecurities into God’s hands, not only transforms them, but enables us to truly know God as He intends.” And in knowing God, our insecurities melt away as well. Grateful to receive this reminder today.
Joanne, I so wrestled with that thought of still struggling with insecurities at my age! Yet how true, they do pop up when we least expect, or when we thought we had dealt with them long ago. I was incredibly blessed reading about Moses, and his own struggle with insecurity. And then to realize his victory could be mine as well!
So much grace here, dear friend: “Just as becoming more Christlike is the work of our full Christian lives on earth, so too, the unbecoming in shedding our insecurities spans our time on earth.” We are all works in progress, aren’t we? And what a blessing to remember that God’s strength is perfected in our weaknesses, whatever they are.
Thank you, Lois for seeing the grace offered here. God truly wants to free us from the entanglements of our fears and turn our weaknesses into [His] strength! But oh it is not the work of a moment.
Amen, friend. Our security, identity, peace all come from our relationship with Jesus and all He says we are to Him in His Word. I’m forever grateful …
Thank you, Linda, your comments always encourage me! We have so much for which to express our gratitude!