Continuing on with Taking the Right Steps to Overcome Insecurity by Charles Stanley
Acknowledge your feelings of insecurity.
Make the decision to overcome insecurity. Recognizing there is a problem may come quickly, but dealing with the root can take time. Remember, if you don't set a goal to deal with this, then you will never be free from its entrapment.
Realize that dealing with insecurity involves self-esteem. Ask God to show you how He sees your life. Refuse to focus on the negative.
Instead, focus on the Holy Spirit, who lives inside you. The best way to do this is to immerse yourself in the Word of God. His Word is powerful - "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). When you read what God has to say about you, you gain an entirely different viewpoint.
Focus on positive qualities. Joseph did not lie around in prison complaining that he had been wrongly treated.
Ask God to help you visualize His work in your life. God has a victory waiting for you, but it cannot be won with insecurity.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Ask God to show you what He has planned for your life. There are people who waste a great deal of time chasing dreams that are not the ones God has designed for them. The result is frustration and disappointment. We will never go wrong keeping our eyes set on Jesus and doing whatever He leads us to do.
Avoid the trap of blaming someone else.
Reward yourself when you do the right thing. The major hurdle to overcoming insecurity is overcoming your doubt of God's Word. Set your mind on being the person God wants you to be, and see what happens.
We're done with Chapter 5. The next chapter is something I think is in our life more than we even suspect. It is the Landmine of Compromise. Sometimes these opportunities to compromise come from family, friends, or acquaintances. Sometimes employees or employers. As Christians we need to be vigilant in our discernment of these situations and bold in our refusal to give in to them. A person can't participate in compromising situations and have integrity at the same time. Between the guilt and the consequences of compromise, it is never the better choice. This is a cleverly hidden landmine. But, that's tomorrow. Enjoy your day!
Showing posts with label Insecurity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Insecurity. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #21
Discovering God's Goodness and Overcoming Insecurity by Charles Stanley
He [God] wants to set you free from the bondage of insecurity and help you to be the person He has created you to be.
What are the effects of insecurity?
1. A lack of lasting relationships
2. A perception of being prideful or snobbish
3. Indecisiveness
4. A fearful attitude
5. A brooding sense of anger
6. A record of being passed over for promotions and honors
7. The inability to meet others and establish friendships
8. The belief that success is based on the praise, approval, and acceptance of others
9. The desire to be in charge of every conversation
Take the Right Steps to Overcome Insecurity
If you are battling insecurity, how do you overcome it? One of the most important steps is to ask God to expose the problem of insecurity. A courageous spirit is not something that we receive at birth. We gain courage through faith in God.
If he [the enemy] notices you turning a fearful or insecure ear to listen to his accusations, he will open up a full assault on your emotions until you have collapsed in the dust of disappointment.
The way to overcome insecurity is to anchor your heart, soul, and mind to the unshakable love and power of the living God through faith in Jesus Christ.
You can't enjoy life if you feel insecure. You can't accomplish the goals God has given you if you feel overwhelmed and fearful. At some point, each one of us will battle insecurity.
The next area lists the ways to overcome insecurity. It's long so we'll stop here today.
I had a taste of my own medicine yesterday. I blogged about looking at situations from 20,000 feet up not from the muck of the current circumstances. I was hit with a big circumstance yesterday and felt pretty disappointed. As Greg and I went on our walk, God reminded me of my blog. "Listen to your own advice." Okay, yes, I was believing the worse before knowing how it would turn out, plus I was only looking at the situation, not the bigger picture of why this was happening. Was it another test of my faith? Another learning experience? I can see how God will use this in the future, so maybe it is good for me to go through. I'm not going to worry about it, we'll just go with the flow and see what happens. (For those of you who worry, no one is sick.) Have a blessed day.
He [God] wants to set you free from the bondage of insecurity and help you to be the person He has created you to be.
What are the effects of insecurity?
1. A lack of lasting relationships
2. A perception of being prideful or snobbish
3. Indecisiveness
4. A fearful attitude
5. A brooding sense of anger
6. A record of being passed over for promotions and honors
7. The inability to meet others and establish friendships
8. The belief that success is based on the praise, approval, and acceptance of others
9. The desire to be in charge of every conversation
Take the Right Steps to Overcome Insecurity
If you are battling insecurity, how do you overcome it? One of the most important steps is to ask God to expose the problem of insecurity. A courageous spirit is not something that we receive at birth. We gain courage through faith in God.
If he [the enemy] notices you turning a fearful or insecure ear to listen to his accusations, he will open up a full assault on your emotions until you have collapsed in the dust of disappointment.
The way to overcome insecurity is to anchor your heart, soul, and mind to the unshakable love and power of the living God through faith in Jesus Christ.
You can't enjoy life if you feel insecure. You can't accomplish the goals God has given you if you feel overwhelmed and fearful. At some point, each one of us will battle insecurity.
The next area lists the ways to overcome insecurity. It's long so we'll stop here today.
I had a taste of my own medicine yesterday. I blogged about looking at situations from 20,000 feet up not from the muck of the current circumstances. I was hit with a big circumstance yesterday and felt pretty disappointed. As Greg and I went on our walk, God reminded me of my blog. "Listen to your own advice." Okay, yes, I was believing the worse before knowing how it would turn out, plus I was only looking at the situation, not the bigger picture of why this was happening. Was it another test of my faith? Another learning experience? I can see how God will use this in the future, so maybe it is good for me to go through. I'm not going to worry about it, we'll just go with the flow and see what happens. (For those of you who worry, no one is sick.) Have a blessed day.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #20
Set Your Focus on Christ and Receive the Victory by Charles Stanley
I remember a time when a group at church opposed me and did not want me to continue as pastor. The temptation that came to me was one of worry, fear, and insecurity. I instantly knew that if I listened to these voices, I would not be able to hear God's voice. Therefore, instead of giving in to thoughts of fear, I sought God in prayer, asking for His wisdom and encouragement.
He reminded me of the words in Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; / And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn."
The enemy has one goal for the child of God, and that is destruction through any means he can use. He will tempt us to feel insecure, hopeless, abandoned, forgotten, and misused. His words are always laced with discouragement and accusations. Don't fall for his schemes. If others speak badly about you, keep your heart set on Christ. Do your best and trust Him to be your rear guard (Isa. 52:12; 58:8).
There's a great lesson in today's information. I've lived through a similar situation. At first, it was laughable, then the enemy worked hard to create division, anger, pity, and a host of other negative emotions in my heart toward my accusers. Through a few careful words from a friend and a few other sources, I began to see the situation for what it was, and why it was happening. God spoke to my heart, revealing his purpose for my life, and it put everything into perspective. It wasn't just one thing that turned me around, it was several, and it took a few months to work out.
While in the corporate world we used a term 'looking at it from 20,000 feet up'. It is so helpful to try and remove yourself from the muck and mire of the current situation and try to look at it from God's perspective. A perspective of wholeness, not just your little piece that's affecting you. When you see God's plan in deliverance, you have freedom and peace, and the tools to handle similar situations when they come up.
I remember a time when a group at church opposed me and did not want me to continue as pastor. The temptation that came to me was one of worry, fear, and insecurity. I instantly knew that if I listened to these voices, I would not be able to hear God's voice. Therefore, instead of giving in to thoughts of fear, I sought God in prayer, asking for His wisdom and encouragement.
He reminded me of the words in Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; / And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn."
The enemy has one goal for the child of God, and that is destruction through any means he can use. He will tempt us to feel insecure, hopeless, abandoned, forgotten, and misused. His words are always laced with discouragement and accusations. Don't fall for his schemes. If others speak badly about you, keep your heart set on Christ. Do your best and trust Him to be your rear guard (Isa. 52:12; 58:8).
There's a great lesson in today's information. I've lived through a similar situation. At first, it was laughable, then the enemy worked hard to create division, anger, pity, and a host of other negative emotions in my heart toward my accusers. Through a few careful words from a friend and a few other sources, I began to see the situation for what it was, and why it was happening. God spoke to my heart, revealing his purpose for my life, and it put everything into perspective. It wasn't just one thing that turned me around, it was several, and it took a few months to work out.
While in the corporate world we used a term 'looking at it from 20,000 feet up'. It is so helpful to try and remove yourself from the muck and mire of the current situation and try to look at it from God's perspective. A perspective of wholeness, not just your little piece that's affecting you. When you see God's plan in deliverance, you have freedom and peace, and the tools to handle similar situations when they come up.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #19
Continuing on the The Landmine of Insecurity by Charles Stanley
God uses our circumstances to shape us. If He allows difficulties, then you know He is going to do something wonderful in your life. If you grew up hearing how much smarter your brother or sister was, then you probably felt insecure and frustrated. God will never compare you to another person. You are His, and He loves you just the way you are. If you trust Him, He will teach you all you need to know, and in His book, you will never see a failing grade.
First, you must believe in His ability and faithfulness. Second, you must trust Him even when the odds seem stacked against you. And third, you must be willing to wait for His timing. When you do, you will receive a great blessing.
Never let anyone tell you that you cannot reach the goals God helps you set. More important, do not allow negative thoughts or words to define who you are as a child of God. You have everything you need to become what God has created you to be.
If you have godly dreams hidden within your heart, then ask Him to bring them to the forefront and help you reach each one.
He will never give you more than you can handle, and if He gives you an opportunity, He also will empower you to do the work. Believe because "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).
There are some things we will not be able to do because God has not called us to do them. However, there are other things that He wants us to do. We will face feelings of insecurity and even feel as though we cannot do the task, but we can through Him. Too many people see a challenge and immediately think, I know I can't do it, so I won't even try.
But often, it is in the times of failure that God does His greatest work. He uses each one of our failures to mold our lives so we will become the people He has planned for us to be.
Tomorrow we'll look at Set Your Focus on Christ and Receive the Victory. As I write these wise words, I think of those of you who I know read my blog. Some of you I know deal with insecurity and fear on a daily basis, and some I have no clue. If this topic is one in which you've conquered, please stop and pray for those who are struggling with these landmines. Feel free to comment on how you've overcome these lies of the enemy, it would benefit many. Have a beautiful day.
God uses our circumstances to shape us. If He allows difficulties, then you know He is going to do something wonderful in your life. If you grew up hearing how much smarter your brother or sister was, then you probably felt insecure and frustrated. God will never compare you to another person. You are His, and He loves you just the way you are. If you trust Him, He will teach you all you need to know, and in His book, you will never see a failing grade.
First, you must believe in His ability and faithfulness. Second, you must trust Him even when the odds seem stacked against you. And third, you must be willing to wait for His timing. When you do, you will receive a great blessing.
Never let anyone tell you that you cannot reach the goals God helps you set. More important, do not allow negative thoughts or words to define who you are as a child of God. You have everything you need to become what God has created you to be.
If you have godly dreams hidden within your heart, then ask Him to bring them to the forefront and help you reach each one.
He will never give you more than you can handle, and if He gives you an opportunity, He also will empower you to do the work. Believe because "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).
There are some things we will not be able to do because God has not called us to do them. However, there are other things that He wants us to do. We will face feelings of insecurity and even feel as though we cannot do the task, but we can through Him. Too many people see a challenge and immediately think, I know I can't do it, so I won't even try.
But often, it is in the times of failure that God does His greatest work. He uses each one of our failures to mold our lives so we will become the people He has planned for us to be.
Tomorrow we'll look at Set Your Focus on Christ and Receive the Victory. As I write these wise words, I think of those of you who I know read my blog. Some of you I know deal with insecurity and fear on a daily basis, and some I have no clue. If this topic is one in which you've conquered, please stop and pray for those who are struggling with these landmines. Feel free to comment on how you've overcome these lies of the enemy, it would benefit many. Have a beautiful day.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #18
Continuing on with the Root Causes of Insecurity by Charles Stanley
Having unrealistic rules and regulations can stifle the natural creativity that God has placed within us. Sometimes parents set rules that they could not keep. though children cannot know the breadth of the consequences, they must know deep inside that the regulation is too great or difficult for them to handle. The frustration created by this inner conflict can lead to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. Rules are meant to help us live according to God's will and plan. However, far too often, they are misused in an effort to confine and thus prevent a child or young adult from trusting and believing in God's sovereign ability.
You always need to do you best, look your best, and be your best. However, if your best is set at t certain level, you need to ask God to help you accept this.
Many people live below their potential because they have settled for less. They feel insecure and stop. The way to overcome this is to:
1. Ask God to help you see your life from His perspective
2. Be willing to obey Him and grow in your knowledge about Him and His way
3. Seek to be a success from God's viewpoint and not from the world's standard
Also, setting unrealistic goals that God does not want you to establish can lead to insecure feelings, especially for young children.
What does He3 have to say about insecurity? That it is deadly, and if Satan has his way, he will use it to prevent us from accomplishing the goals God wants us to reach in our lifetimes.
Having a poor body image.
Not receiving positive feedback.
Let's stop there for now. The next section on being overshadowed by siblings is a little long. I hope these words about insecurity are helpful. Even if you normally don't fall into this landmine very often, it's good to hear about all the potential destruction it can cause. Have a blessed day.
Having unrealistic rules and regulations can stifle the natural creativity that God has placed within us. Sometimes parents set rules that they could not keep. though children cannot know the breadth of the consequences, they must know deep inside that the regulation is too great or difficult for them to handle. The frustration created by this inner conflict can lead to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. Rules are meant to help us live according to God's will and plan. However, far too often, they are misused in an effort to confine and thus prevent a child or young adult from trusting and believing in God's sovereign ability.
You always need to do you best, look your best, and be your best. However, if your best is set at t certain level, you need to ask God to help you accept this.
Many people live below their potential because they have settled for less. They feel insecure and stop. The way to overcome this is to:
1. Ask God to help you see your life from His perspective
2. Be willing to obey Him and grow in your knowledge about Him and His way
3. Seek to be a success from God's viewpoint and not from the world's standard
Also, setting unrealistic goals that God does not want you to establish can lead to insecure feelings, especially for young children.
What does He3 have to say about insecurity? That it is deadly, and if Satan has his way, he will use it to prevent us from accomplishing the goals God wants us to reach in our lifetimes.
Having a poor body image.
Not receiving positive feedback.
Let's stop there for now. The next section on being overshadowed by siblings is a little long. I hope these words about insecurity are helpful. Even if you normally don't fall into this landmine very often, it's good to hear about all the potential destruction it can cause. Have a blessed day.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #17 & Prayer Walk #3
Yesterday's prayer walk was great. We got a lot of good stuff from God about the people there and things to come.
The Root Causes of Insecurity by Charles Stanley
What causes someone to feel insecure? At some point, she may have faced rejection or a lack of acceptance. If you have a sense of security in God, then you will discover the peace and joy that He has to offer no matter what your situation may be.
Broken relationships can leave us wondering if we have a character flaw. Or facing a layoff at work can leave a person feeling insecure about the future as well as his personal ability. Growing older and realizing you may not reach the goals you wanted to reach can have a disastrous effect. Losing a loved one can revive or create feelings of insecurity, fear, and depression. We do not have to fear the future or be concerned about what another person may think of us (Rom. 8:38-39)
Feeling threatened, off balance, or on the edge. One of the primary reasons some people feel insecure is because they grew up in an insecure environment. Their world seemed very unpredictable, and there was an uncertainty to life that prevented them from feeling safe.
They may feel off balance because their father was an alcoholic or their mother or father left home or died when they were young. Just when a child needs to know that he or she is safe, loved, and cared for, the bottom to life seems to drop out. Often the child grows up to be an adult with deep seated insecurities.
There are other circumstances that create instability in our lives - failure, a financial loss, or divorce. When we feel insecure about ourselves, we will not be able to accomplish the goals that God has set for us to reach. The reasons this happens is that we feel inadequate, inferior, and insecure. We'll try to hid in the back of the crowd, hoping that no one will notice us. But God always does. He knows our potential - the same way He knew the potential of Moses. He does not want us to feel insecure; He wants us to trust Him. When we do, we will gain a sense of security because God supports us with an unshakable sense of power.
Well stop there for today. The next root cause is Having Unrealistic Rules and Regulations. I hope you have a wonderful Easter. We're off to services.
The Root Causes of Insecurity by Charles Stanley
What causes someone to feel insecure? At some point, she may have faced rejection or a lack of acceptance. If you have a sense of security in God, then you will discover the peace and joy that He has to offer no matter what your situation may be.
Broken relationships can leave us wondering if we have a character flaw. Or facing a layoff at work can leave a person feeling insecure about the future as well as his personal ability. Growing older and realizing you may not reach the goals you wanted to reach can have a disastrous effect. Losing a loved one can revive or create feelings of insecurity, fear, and depression. We do not have to fear the future or be concerned about what another person may think of us (Rom. 8:38-39)
Feeling threatened, off balance, or on the edge. One of the primary reasons some people feel insecure is because they grew up in an insecure environment. Their world seemed very unpredictable, and there was an uncertainty to life that prevented them from feeling safe.
They may feel off balance because their father was an alcoholic or their mother or father left home or died when they were young. Just when a child needs to know that he or she is safe, loved, and cared for, the bottom to life seems to drop out. Often the child grows up to be an adult with deep seated insecurities.
There are other circumstances that create instability in our lives - failure, a financial loss, or divorce. When we feel insecure about ourselves, we will not be able to accomplish the goals that God has set for us to reach. The reasons this happens is that we feel inadequate, inferior, and insecure. We'll try to hid in the back of the crowd, hoping that no one will notice us. But God always does. He knows our potential - the same way He knew the potential of Moses. He does not want us to feel insecure; He wants us to trust Him. When we do, we will gain a sense of security because God supports us with an unshakable sense of power.
Well stop there for today. The next root cause is Having Unrealistic Rules and Regulations. I hope you have a wonderful Easter. We're off to services.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #16 & Prayer Walk #3
Chapter Five, The Landmine of Insecurity by Charles Stanley
[Talking about Moses call to lead the people out of Egypt, the burning bush]
God's command to Moses required both courage and devotion. He was facing a lifestyle change that also would alter the way he felt about himself and especially the way he viewed God. It was a defining moment of extreme proportions, and like many of us, Moses immediately felt unequal to the task. He wavered in doubt and looked for a way to sidestep the call.
Moses was right: he was not equal to the task! This fact did not change God's plan for his life, however. Most of the challenges we face require faith in an infinite, all-powerful God. Regardless of the task, if we are convinced that we cannot succeed, we won't. On the other hand, if we trust the sovereignty and strength of God at work in our lives, we will succeed.
Exposing the Truth About Insecurity
[Talking about Moses discovering he was a Hebrew and couldn't go back to where he was brought up, but also feeling he wasn't equipped for the task God was asking him to do.]
Have you ever felt this way? You know the Lord has led you to a certain point. He has placed you in a position that requires more of you than you believe you can do. Insecurity is not a struggle like jealousy, envy, or pride. It may not sound explosive, but it is. The landmine of insecurity is both dangerous and destructive. To a person with a sense of insecurity, everything within her life seems unstable and unreliable.
God knows our limitations and usually will place us in situations that stretch our faith beyond what we think we can bear. He wants to develop our faith. In order to do this, faith must be tested. This means placing us in situations where we must come face-to-face with our insecurities and where we choose to trust God with the situation.
You may think, I can't do anything well, but from God's perspective, you are a person of notable excellence. You can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13). Moses went from being a shepherd to the leader of the Exodus. That was quite a shift in roles, and God just may do a similar work in your life, but first you must be willing to trust and obey Him.
Take the Right Steps to Avoid Insecurity
First, you need to remember that Satan will stop at nothing to lay landmines of insecurity within your life. He knows God has a plan for you. Satan also is aware of your potential because of the presence of God's Spirit. Therefore, he enjoys setting little explosions of insecurity throughout your life with the hope of them turning into a blaze of discouragement and hopelessness. You can detect and defuse his enticements.
However, it is one thing to feel insecure about a particular situation and another thing to grow up with insecurity and have it programmed into your thinking every day. Satan's intent with insecurity is to leave us feeling disappointed and more like failures than conquerors, but we must remember that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom. 8:37).
Isn't that great stuff? I love it! Tomorrow we'll look at the root causes of insecurity. I think this chapter goes along with what we've been learning this last year about God calling us to do something great and we don't even know if we can. BUT WE CAN! Stay tuned, more to come!
On a more personal note, Greg and I are going on a prayer walk this afternoon on the west side again. We'll pray for the neighborhood and the school, and then we're stopping by some old friends of Greg's for me to meet.
Have a blessed Easter. As the Christians of long ago would say to greet others and see if they were also Christians, "He is risen" and "He is risen indeed!"
[Talking about Moses call to lead the people out of Egypt, the burning bush]
God's command to Moses required both courage and devotion. He was facing a lifestyle change that also would alter the way he felt about himself and especially the way he viewed God. It was a defining moment of extreme proportions, and like many of us, Moses immediately felt unequal to the task. He wavered in doubt and looked for a way to sidestep the call.
Moses was right: he was not equal to the task! This fact did not change God's plan for his life, however. Most of the challenges we face require faith in an infinite, all-powerful God. Regardless of the task, if we are convinced that we cannot succeed, we won't. On the other hand, if we trust the sovereignty and strength of God at work in our lives, we will succeed.
Exposing the Truth About Insecurity
[Talking about Moses discovering he was a Hebrew and couldn't go back to where he was brought up, but also feeling he wasn't equipped for the task God was asking him to do.]
Have you ever felt this way? You know the Lord has led you to a certain point. He has placed you in a position that requires more of you than you believe you can do. Insecurity is not a struggle like jealousy, envy, or pride. It may not sound explosive, but it is. The landmine of insecurity is both dangerous and destructive. To a person with a sense of insecurity, everything within her life seems unstable and unreliable.
God knows our limitations and usually will place us in situations that stretch our faith beyond what we think we can bear. He wants to develop our faith. In order to do this, faith must be tested. This means placing us in situations where we must come face-to-face with our insecurities and where we choose to trust God with the situation.
You may think, I can't do anything well, but from God's perspective, you are a person of notable excellence. You can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13). Moses went from being a shepherd to the leader of the Exodus. That was quite a shift in roles, and God just may do a similar work in your life, but first you must be willing to trust and obey Him.
Take the Right Steps to Avoid Insecurity
First, you need to remember that Satan will stop at nothing to lay landmines of insecurity within your life. He knows God has a plan for you. Satan also is aware of your potential because of the presence of God's Spirit. Therefore, he enjoys setting little explosions of insecurity throughout your life with the hope of them turning into a blaze of discouragement and hopelessness. You can detect and defuse his enticements.
However, it is one thing to feel insecure about a particular situation and another thing to grow up with insecurity and have it programmed into your thinking every day. Satan's intent with insecurity is to leave us feeling disappointed and more like failures than conquerors, but we must remember that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom. 8:37).
Isn't that great stuff? I love it! Tomorrow we'll look at the root causes of insecurity. I think this chapter goes along with what we've been learning this last year about God calling us to do something great and we don't even know if we can. BUT WE CAN! Stay tuned, more to come!
On a more personal note, Greg and I are going on a prayer walk this afternoon on the west side again. We'll pray for the neighborhood and the school, and then we're stopping by some old friends of Greg's for me to meet.
Have a blessed Easter. As the Christians of long ago would say to greet others and see if they were also Christians, "He is risen" and "He is risen indeed!"
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