Overcoming Insecurity, Even When We Doubt

As someone who works with teenagers and their mental health, I’ve heard my fair share of insecurities. It’s almost a guarantee that, week after week, I’ll hear a teen open up about something—whether it’s their body image, wardrobe choices, hair, academic pressures, social circles, or even aspects of their personality. My usual response is to validate their feelings, and encourage them to envision the person they aspire to be. However, recently, I’ve started to realize that there might be gaps in my approach that I need to address. Overcoming insecurity, even when we doubt, isn’t as simple as it seems.

Insecure, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, refers to a “deficiency in assurance“, In other words, insecurity is an unsettling state of uncertainty that can lead to significant mental, emotional, and even physical instability. The experience of insecurity can be profoundly distressing, yet many individuals find themselves drawn to these uncomfortable thoughts time and again. Rather than relying on surface-level solutions like affirmations or vision casting, my perspective on insecurity advocates for a deeper exploration. We must engage with the root causes of these feelings and actively dismantle the structures that allow them to thrive. By confronting and addressing these foundational issues, we can pave the way for peace and lasting change.

Overcoming Insecurity

In Judges 6:12, the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, calling him a “Mighty hero.” This divine message reveals that Gideon is chosen to rescue Israel from the Midianites. Yet, despite this calling, we witness Gideon’s insecurities emerge in Judges 6:15 as he responds to the angel.

Can you see a bit of yourself in Gideon? Perhaps God is nudging you to step out and inspire others, but you hesitate, saying, “God, speaking isn’t my strong suit.”

Or maybe you feel a pull towards a specific career or a leadership role. Yet you find yourself questioning, “God, am I really smart enough, qualified enough, or confident enough for this?”

What if God has planted a unique dream in your heart that defies your past mistakes and circumstances? Yet, you keep telling Him, “I’ve stumbled too many times; I don’t deserve to see this dream come to life.”

Who God Calls Us to Be Over Our Insecurities

Insecurities are often rooted in a distorted sense of truth. While we may lack skill, effort, or even capabilities in various areas, our limitations do not define what God can accomplish. Gideon struggled to believe in his worth because he came from the weakest family in his tribe. Yet God viewed Gideon as the Mighty Hero He created him to be, transcending his current circumstances.

God specializes in transforming desolate situations and healing broken individuals, restoring vision and hope within them. Our insecurities might stem from suffering, lack, abandonment, or a fear of rejection. Yet, 1 Peter 5:10 reassures us that after a period of suffering, “he will restore, support, and strengthen” us. For those carrying the weight of past mistakes, Isaiah 44:22 offers powerful encouragement: “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

Dear friends, I want to gently remind you that God encourages us to explore the roots of our insecurities and to take steps to release their hold on our lives. Instead of nurturing those negative thoughts we sometimes have about ourselves, we can choose to follow the guidance of Philippians 4:8, focusing on what is “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” Remember, with God’s loving support, you can find peace and confidence as you embrace the unique purpose He has designed for your life.

Today’s devotion inspired by // Judges 6:14-16 NLT

Reflect & Journal // Read the verse for today, and notice if any doubts from your personal life come to mind. What has God been calling you to in this season of your life? How can you surrender your doubts and insecurities today, and replace them with the truth of God’s Word?