96. OVERCOMING INSECURITY. 2 Corinthians 3: 5.6.

The above Scripture says “our competence comes from God” insecurity can side-line us, When we feel like we are unworthy of success, self-doubt may cause us to sabotage our chances to be successful. The truth is it’s impossible to live for long on a level that is inconsistent with how we see ourselves. As I see it, one of the biggest problems with insecurity is, that it is almost impossible to acknowledge, so we don’t deal with it, and overcome it. Why is that? Because we are afraid that an admission of vulnerability will (1) weaken us in the eyes of other people, (2) empower and embolden our critics, and (3) Give our competitors the advantage over us. Insecurity insures we keep other people at a distance. It means living without the council and support of the very people whose input can help us to succeed. The bottom line is, we have a hard time trusting others. because we have a hard time trusting ourself. It’s not a new phenomenon. Recorded in the Old Testament, (Job 20:22) we read “Zophar said to Job, in his self-sufficiency he will be in distress>” Note the word ‘Distress” then think of the word ‘tress’ our insecurity will whisper “If people don’t really know me, they wouldn’t love me, respect me, follow me invite me or invest in me. So… What is the answer? Paul has it! He writes in (2 Corinthians 3:5-6) Not that we are competent .. to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent. The first step to overcoming insecurity is to draw our self-worth from God and learn to see ourselves through His eyes .and we can only do that by spending time with Him in prayer and reading His Word everyday. If our sense of well-being comes from any source other than God, chances are that we will always struggle with insecurity. That’s why Paul wrote in (2 Corinthians 9:8) “God will give you His constantly over flowing kindness. Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things. Another translation puts it this way. “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” As long as we are trusting in ourselves or other people, we will struggle with uncertainty and self doubt. But once we start trusting in God and what He can do in us, with us, through us and for us, we begin to feel differently about ourselves. Insecurity destroys our self-esteem by making us feel unqualified and undeserving. And here is the worst part; often it means we can’t be taught, we can’t accept honest criticism, and therefore we can’t grow. - The thing we need most – good input, is the last thing we are willing to accept, because we’re afraid to let anyone know we are less than perfect. Consequently, we find it hard to confront challenges and seize the opportunities that come our way. Deep down we feel incompetent, unaccepted, disapproved of and rejected. In short insecurity is an ‘inside job.!” Now, Take an honest look at your life. Go ahead; Your safe no one is looking! The only person who will benefit from this is you. Then turn to God and say “Lord, Everything I need to succeed in life I have in you. Please give me the humility to call to mind your Promises and thoughts about me, the wisdom to understand your loving Words and the courage to trust you with my security. In Jesus’ name I pray. Thank you for reading these thoughts on where our security comes from, who it is born of and where it must always stay. ”In Christ, and in Christ alone.” He is our security, “The Rock of our Salvation.” God Bless us all. Phaline. -----------------------------