Do you know that ⅔ of adults feel as insecure as they did as teenagers? That’s awkward!
That statistic was from a little market research study that found that 25-45 year olds are still worried about their body shape, hairstyle and smile. That’s just external appearances. I bet if that study dug a little deeper into our inner worlds it would have unearthed a pile of insecurities about intelligence, charisma, character, creativity, or discipline.
Insecurity is ubiquitous. We all tend to compare ourselves to others and judge ourselves as lacking. We see the good things that others project and the bad we know secretly exists in us. We compare our insides to others’ outsides. But this isn’t a fair comparison. No one is perfect, even if they appear so. Even the most confident, poised, successful person you know has issues they haven’t told you about. There’s no win in comparison.
But I believe that for those of us in Christ, insecurity may be ubiquitous but it can be diminished or even defeated.
One way is to remember the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.”
But an even better way is to embrace your identity in Christ which is infinitely secure.
I was reading 1 Peter this morning and there’s a passage of scripture that is stuffed with the truths of how secure God’s people are. There’s no striving to be better. There’s no falling short compared to other believers. There’s just a confident peace and rest when we understand what God has done for us and what God has prepared for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV).
Most people leave an inheritance when they die. We receive one! And here’s how secure it is:
- It’s according to God’s great mercy (not our own hard work).
- It’s caused by Him (not brought about by our charm or smarts or talent or effort).
- It’s imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (not tenuous, not brittle, not temporary!).
- It’s kept for you. You don’t have to hold on tight. God’s got you. And if all that wasn’t enough,
- It’s guarded by God’s power. No one is getting past that gate. No one is getting past God to get to you. And frankly you aren’t going to get past God to escape.
You are safely held. You are secure. I pray you’ll remember this the next time you notice another gray hair, an extra five pounds, or anything else that makes you suddenly feel like you’re back in your high school homeroom. Thank God He gives a secure, living hope to us all!