In•se•cu•ri•ty- /ˌinsəˈkyo͝orədē/  1. uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence

I’ve recently experienced some flare-ups of insecurity. I usually keep it at bay, but I’ve stepped into a leadership position at work and it’s sparked a nagging sense of self-doubt. Like a playlist on repeat, there’s a little voice that whispers, “You don’t have what it takes.”

It doesn’t help that I already feel as if I’m standing in shoes that are way too big for my feet. 

Maybe you’ve felt the same way. Perhaps you feel insecure as a parent, as a student, or in your career. Or maybe it’s this particular season of life that has you feeling slightly apprehensive. 

Combine your insecurity with everything that’s happening in our world and it’s the perfect formula to rattle your soul:

Personal challenges + insecurity + world events= a rattled soul

Where do we run when insecurity rears its ugly head in our hearts?

The Bible encourages us to move toward the mountains. 

Psalm 125 was written to help prepare people’s hearts for worship as they walked towards the temple in Jerusalem. The majestic mountains encircling the city served as a visible reminder of the Lord’s presence surrounding His people. With each step, worshipers moved increasingly closer to the actual Source of their security – the presence of the Lord.    

Since we’ve never had the opportunity to “journey towards Jerusalem” for worship, this might seem a little abstract to our modern ears. But, you see, , as believers, WE are His temple; His presence resides in us through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). So, because of Jesus, we don’t have to make a pilgrimage to experience His presence.               

Yet, this isn’t merely poetic language; this is a magnificent reality for all of those who “trust in the Lord” (vs.1). The psalmist wants us to grab hold of this truth when insecurity attacks.

And when does insecurity attack us? When we momentarily fail to trust in the Lord. It’s when we tell ourselves He will no longer provide the strength needed for the tasks at hand. The lie of insecurity is that the Lord has abandoned us and we are now all alone. Essentially, insecurity attempts to hide our view of the “mountains” of His presence. 

Giving ourselves a motivational pep talk is not the way to fight back against insecurity.                                           

Here’s why:  Our security is not in ourselves; it’s in Him alone.  

Just like the Israelite worshipers, we must intentionally move towards the Lord’s presence. This can happen in any number of ways- prayer, Scripture reading, listening to worship music, an honest conversation with a Christian friend, etc. Each is a means of turning down the volume of insecurity and increasing the volume of the Lord’s voice. It has worked for me and I believe it will work for you.

Take a few minutes to do some mountain climbing. Tune in to the reality of the Lord’s provision and protection. And remember…He alone is the source of our security.  

 

Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director RFTH