Coming from one who has suffered from insecurity for years, I know what it’s like—the feeling that everyone’s watching and I just don’t measure up. The self-consciousness doesn’t go away and interacting with others is nerve-racking.

Insecurity is the feeling of not being good enough or not fitting in. It is a belief that one is inadequate or incompetent to handle life’s challenges. Insecurity results from a sense of being unaccepted, disapproved, or rejected. The result is inner turmoil.

It’s hard to walk into a room—even a church service—without feeling vulnerable. We cringe from the imagined judgment of others when in reality they are fretting over their own emotional issues more than anyone else’s problems.

Insecurity is a form of narcissism. Being self-conscious, we are less conscious of others. As William Sloane Coffin said, “There is no smaller package in the world than someone who is all wrapped up in himself.”

Many insecure people have been raised in unpredictable or unaccepting environments. They were given little direction, guidance, or encouragement in their earlier lives leaving them unable to cope with the circumstances of life. Others may have experienced a major loss or failure that led them to question their personal competency.

The negative effects of insecurity aren’t easy to shake. For example, many insecure people have difficulty establishing healthy relationships. Others may perceive them (incorrectly) as snobbish. They often become victims of fears that impair their freedom to live an abundant life in Christ.

Feelings of insecurity run deep and may have more than one source. Shyness is one of the more obvious sources of insecurity. There is nothing inherently wrong with shyness unless you feel imprisoned by it. When shyness leads to excessive self-consciousness, insecurity becomes an issue.

Comparing ourselves to others also will lead us into the pit of insecurity. Most insecure people don’t realize their tendency to measure themselves against others is what feeds their insecurity. With each comparison they fall deeper into the pit.

There will always be someone who earns more than you, who knows more than you, who has more than you. Feelings of inferiority will not be appeased by trying to be better and have more than others.

A lack of acceptance can lead to insecurity as well. When we chronically face disapproval (often starting in childhood), we can eventually become insecure, feeling inadequate and unloved.

Many times insecurity surfaces when we try to rely on ourselves. The world teaches us to depend only on ourselves and that no one can be trusted. God, however, calls us to trust him implicitly and depend on him alone.

Many view the building of the tower of Babel as a matter of pride. The builders wanted to “make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). But there’s more to the story: The people did not want to “be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Insecurity was at the root of their actions. They thought they needed to take their own security measures.

Some churches fall into a similar trap. They create programs to keep people busy and give them the false security of activity and involvement. While such programs are not antithetical to life in Christ, they can become a substitute for living faith, devotion, and power.

Even Moses suffered from insecurity. When God called him to go to Pharaoh and initiate the release of the Israelites, Moses said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (see Exodus 3:11). He followed with a series of excuses, including his famous “lousy speaker” line—a line many insecure people use today.

I use it myself. When insecurity gets the best of me, I tell people I’m a writer, not a speaker. But it’s just an excuse. It didn’t work for Moses, and it won’t work for me.

When I, like Moses, think This is as far as I can go, God says, “Go farther.” That’s when I have to decide whether I’m going to believe in myself or God.

The mistake Moses made was focusing on his weaknesses and failures. Shortcomings should not be denied, but we don’t need to dwell on them either.

The key to overcoming insecurity lies in breaking the grip of self-absorption and recognizing who we are in Christ. What others think about us doesn’t matter. God sees who we are and loves us anyway. Embrace the uniqueness of who God created you to be. Meditate on Bible passages about God’s love for you.

Who you are in Christ Jesus is something to be treasured. You don’t have to earn his love; he already loves you perfectly.

We must learn to see ourselves through God’s eyes instead of our own. When we are able to do so, never again will we say to ourselves, “I’m not good enough.”

King Saul never was the leader God intended him to be. He allowed insecurity to drive his every decision. This insecurity drove Saul to attempt to control people and circumstances. He sought to kill David every chance he had. Instead of seeing David as a valuable member of his team, Saul looked at him as a threat—all because of his insecurity.

Like Saul, our own efforts to take security measures are futile. Like a blind squirrel searching for acorns, we may find a few, but we’ll never find all we need. We overcome insecurity as we abide in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

God has already given us the power we need to do his will in every situation. It is only when we look to ourselves that we falter. We need to trust him and rely on his strength.

As the economy crumbles, many people are becoming increasingly fearful and insecure. But our hope is not in the economy; our hope is in the Lord. Our faith and security in the Lord can be so steadfast that nothing can shake us. As the stock market continues to rise and fall uncertainly, my husband is leaving his secure job to start a business on his own—all because of God’s leading. People are calling him crazy, but he’s at peace knowing his security is in Christ.

To overcome our self-reliance, we must make God our rock and our fortress. Learn to go to him with every detail of your life—no matter how big or small. Practice listening for his guidance and direction. Look beyond your limited resources to God’s vast power and unlimited abilities.

God has already saved you through Jesus’ work on the cross. You not only have been made in his image but also have the power of the cross made available to you. You are a child of God!

Overcoming insecurity is not impossible, but it does require that we look for answers in the right place. The cure of insecurity will not be found in beauty, money, cars, or position. God is the only true source of lasting security.

Feelings of insecurity cause us to shrink back from all life has to offer. Only when we understand who Christ is and who we are in him will we be able to live a bold and fulfilling life for the glory of God. |L

• I’m a failure.

• I’m ugly.

• No one could ever love me.

• I’m a loser; I’ll never win.

• Why try? I always fail.

• Everyone is watching me, waiting for me to mess up.

• I don’t deserve to be treated nicely.

• I don’t fit in.

• I’m afraid no one will like or accept me.

• People are only nice to me when they want something.

• Be willing to change your current behavior.

• Trust others enough to expose yourself emotionally to them.

• Meditate on what God’s Word has to say concerning who you are in Christ.

• Be willing to be placed in vulnerable positions and to take risks.

• Rely on the Holy Spirit instead of yourself.

• Take a rational approach to problems.

• Develop a healthy and humorous belief in yourself.

• Recognize when you have an exaggerated need for acceptance and approval.

• Capitalize on your strengths, attributes, and skills.

• Take small steps of courage.

—TD