We all have them. Feelings of insecurity come in at the most inconvenient moments. They hit you like a ton of bricks. It can come when you see that person who looks like they have it all together, and all that fills your mind is “I could never be like that.” Sometimes it slaps you in the face when you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see. It even stifles creativity because that fear of failure won’t even let you begin.
We’ve all been down at least one of those roads, myself included. What I am learning is that my fears and insecurities show me a lot about what I believe about myself and God. Feelings of inadequacy are pointing to a greater issue in my heart. Insecurity in my life points to the fact that I am living a life based on performance. I am looking for joy and satisfaction in how I am perceived by others and basing God’s love on what I do. What I believe about myself in those moments is that I must earn God’s favor. That leads to guilt when I mess up and fear that I won’t measure up. What my insecurities say about my beliefs about God is that I think He is fickle and prone to change His affections for me. This is where the gospel changes everything.
The gospel tells me that I am not enough, but that Jesus was enough for me. The truth is that none of us measure up. We all fall short of God’s perfection. We deserve His punishment. Now, you’re probably thinking “Hold up. How is that supposed to make anyone feel better about their insecurities and fears?” The good news is that we don’t have to try to be enough to earn the love of God. He already loves us, even in our brokenness. In His love, He sent His Son Jesus to take our place, to live the perfect life, to be enough on our behalf, and to bear our punishment. The answer to every fear and every feeling of inadequacy is the perfect love of God. In 1 John, it says “Perfect love casts out fear.” Understanding God’s love for me sets me free. I don’t have to try to earn His favor- I already have it in Jesus. All I have to do is trust in His work for me. That means I do not have to try and earn anyone else’s favor either. His love is enough.
When fear and insecurity creep into my heart, I am reminded that I am looking to the wrong things to give me joy. That’s when I turn to Jesus and find that what the Bible says is true. God’s perfect love casts out my fear.
