Insecurity may not sound as explosive as landmines like pride or jealousy, but it, too, is a very dangerous pitfall. A great deal of damage can result in the life of a person who habitually feels insecure. Such feelings can develop from many different kinds of situations. We may experience tragedy, like the loss of a parent in our early life, or we may grow up in an environment that throws us off balance. Sometimes we feel insecure because of major failures we’ve experienced.
Whatever the root cause, the effects are often similar. We may be indecisive because our fear of making the wrong choice leads to avoid decisions altogether. Sometimes we have a difficult time establishing lasting relationships because we are afraid we won’t be a good friend. Or we might keep our distance from fear of rejection—people frequently perceive this as pride or snobbery.
Sooner or later, we may become critical of others. When we’re hurting, we often want other people to feel bad, too. At the same time, we can fall into the trap of believing success is based on approval and acceptance by others. The truth is that God has a special path for our lives, where success cannot be measured by human praise.
Insecurity isn’t something we can confess and thereby gain freedom. Rather, it’s a condition we must confront over a long period of time. Ultimately, we must decide to trust what God says about us and not what the enemy whispers. Tomorrow, we’ll learn how God can restore our security.
Enoch's walk with the Lord was so close that Scripture tells us, “God took him” (Gen. 5:24). This implies Enoch didn’t die but was taken directly into the presence of God. What a wonderful testimony!
As we seek to follow God with this same passion, let’s review some specific steps to help us keep up in our walk with the Lord.
Reconciliation. This concept carries the sense of God moving toward us. We can be joyful because the responsibility is all His. Through the cross of His Son Jesus Christ, God has already made His move in our direction. Scripture says, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). When we trust in Christ, we immediately take part in that reconciliation.
Trusting God. We must have faith, not only that God is concerned with our walk, but that He has, through Jesus Christ, provided all we need to walk intimately with Him anytime.
Agreement. To appreciate the closeness God longs to have with us, we must agree with what Scripture teaches about His Son, His Word, the church, and our problem with sin.
Fellowship. Just as human relationships fall apart without regular contact, our intimacy with God weakens when we don’t spend time with Him.
Walking with God is not an impossible mission, but it does require careful attention to the details of our Christian lives. When we set our course for God, He’ll always be there to direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
David’s cries for help fill the pages of the Psalms. His prayers are a blend of requests and worship recalling God’s greatness, love, power, and protection. Praying with recognition of God’s amazing attributes reminds us He has the wisdom, strength, and compassion to meet all our needs. Here are examples of this type of prayer:
• “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Ps. 139:7). God is everywhere. He’s not limited by time or space—we are never away from His awareness for a single moment. So, even when we feel isolated or friendless, we’re not alone.
• “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5). God knows everything. When we bend our knees to pray to Him, He’s already aware of the feelings and needs we’re about to mention. So we can be certain that when we ask for direction, He’ll provide clear guidance if we’re submitted to His will.
• “As for me, I shall call upon God ... the one who sits enthroned from of old ... with whom there is no change” (Ps. 55:16, 19). God’s character is constant. Since we can always trust He’ll be faithful, reliable, and merciful, we can place our confidence in Him no matter the situation.
When believers recall an attribute of God that meets their needs, they place the focus of their prayers on the Lord rather than on the request. By mixing praise into our prayers, we end up asking for less, worshipping better, and receiving more because our emphasis is in the right place.
Romans 14:20-23
A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his or her beliefs are true. Today, most people would rather live by preferences than by convictions. They choose to believe something based on conditions and circumstances. When situations change, so does their loyalty. Many people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve
Contrast this wishy-washy approach with the mindset of the great men and women depicted in Scripture. Despite years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles. As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure the survival of Israel (Gen. 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man living in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Dan. 1:19-20). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God (Dan. 3:29)
As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions withstand the changing winds of opinion and the persuasive arguments of opponents. If we’re grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid the conflicts entering our lives
Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live a life ruled by godly convictions. Scripture says much about what’s most important in life. See if God’s principles and promises hold true. Through prayer and study, allow the heavenly Father to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions.
