“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
On a sunny day this week, we decided to make a drive over to a water park. I thought we could use a small get away to do something fun as a family on a hot day. Besides the fact that the cashier asked if I needed the “grandparents” discount on the way in (darn those gray hairs), we were off to a great start. As we decided which way to go, I saw one son filled with excitement about almost every activity and another uncertain at about every step, but not wanting to be left behind. One wrong comment or look sent him in a tizzy because he was not confident in his abilities at some of these water activities. I stood by during a few to support and then I decided maybe joining in could help lead. So we headed up to the top of a water slide that was not too scary. I went first and boy it was faster than I expected, but I came up ok. As soon as I popped off, I looked up and saw my little one bounding down the walk way to the bottom, not on the slide. His insecurities had gotten the best of him. Time after time this happened to the point he was downright irritated at his family if anything brought us enjoyment. If we didn’t quit and give up and go home. And it didn’t stop there, this attitude continued day after day, activity after activity, until he couldn’t take it anymore and he spilt what had been welling up inside of him.
Fears….doubts….insecurity.
Insecurity is powerful if we allow it. It can take someone we believe is amazing, brave, capable and confident and turn them into someone we don’t recognize. It can steal the joy right out of them, wipe the smile from their face, take their laughter, and maybe even steal their hope. Right in front of our eyes, we lose them as they stop believing in themselves.
But God… He reminds us:
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
See we can be heading against the wind, strong and steady. Focused and sure-footed. Then an insecurity pops up. Maybe an old memory. A time you fell short. A time someone hurt you or told you a lie about yourself that you started to believe. You know the old schemes the devil has to make you scared and doubting. And while you get lost in that insecurity and doubt, a gust of wind comes and blows you back and the longer you forget who you are the further you blow away until you may have just lost the very blessing God had delivered to you.
I’ve gotten to a place that when insecurity pops up, I try to get proactive and do something I may never have been inspired to do before to keep myself believing “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Recently we visited some good friends who had set up a zip line in their back yard. It was amazing! The kids were giving it a try and I decided, yep, I am doing this. I also jumped into a cold pool. Allowed myself to be pulled nicely into a river wearing my clothes, and stood boldly for someone I love when I felt all odds stacked against me. Why? Because God keeps reminding me not to forget who I am. Not to forget how the enemy works.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
I am not trying to imply we should jump in and start doing things we aren’t called to do just to show what we can do, like flying a plane with a perfectly trained pilot on board. What I am saying is when the whisper comes, and the call and your heart says you can do something you are scared to do, believe in yourself. When the blessing shows up after hours, days, weeks, and years of prayer, believe God sent it. When the disappointment comes that you were not expecting and it rocks your world and fills you with insecurity that you may never get back up, believe God is on His way to you with a rescue and don’t stop believing.
Belief leads to confidence and action to accomplish God’s mission on earth and in your life.
Doubt leads to insecurity which distracts and defeats God’s plans for you.
Father, today, help us to place our insecurity into the sunlight. To come clean and begin to believe in ourselves so that nothing can hold us back from the blessings you have given us. We love you and appreciate you and apologize when we stop believing because of difficult things that have happened to us. Help us to rise above and affirm our steps today and every day. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
P.S. Today’s image is of a baby hawk I discovered. It made me smile at his tenacity when I approached him. He appeared weak, uncertain, and insecure when I found him; however, when I approached, he quickly remembered who he was. He was to become a very powerful hawk and he showed me exactly who he was. I believe that is how God wants us to be. Not seeing our physical nature as a barrier to the power that can lie within us when we remember who He made us to be. To believe in ourselves!
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Insecurity
Show me the next step I should take.