Don’t let insecurity hold you back!
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Tim. Tim was a bit of an oddball, with a tendency to be overly self-conscious and insecure. One day, Tim decided he was going to ask out the most beautiful girl in the office, Sarah. He had been crushing on her for weeks and finally mustered up the courage to ask her out.
As he approached her, he suddenly got hit with a wave of insecurity and doubt. He thought to himself, "What if she says no? Everyone will think I'm a failure." So, instead of asking her out, Tim decided to play it safe and ask her for help on a work project.
Sarah was happy to help, and they spent the next few weeks working closely together. As they spent more time together, Tim started to realize that Sarah was not only beautiful on the outside but also kind, funny, and smart. He finally mustered up the courage to ask her out on a proper date.
But as he was about to pop the question, Sarah beat him to it. She said, "Tim, I've been thinking. I think it's time we take our relationship to the next level. Will you be my singing partner in our office's annual talent show?" Tim was confused, and Sarah added, "I heard you singing in your office the other day, and I think it would be fun!
Tim was mortified, he liked to sing when he was alone, but he would never sing in front of other people. The problem was that he couldn't back out now. He ended up performing in front of the entire office, singing a terrible rendition of "I Will Always Love You," but to his surprise, everyone laughed and clapped, and he realized that he was not judged for his singing skills but for his courage. Ninety-nine percent of the people in his office knew they would also be scared stiff if they tried to sing in front of a group of people. From that day on, Tim learned that being himself, with all his flaws and insecurities, was the best way to be, and he and Sarah had a great time performing in the show together. The insecure young man soon enjoyed a date with his new friend.
Most of us have more than our share of insecurities. The imps are like little demons running around in our brains, whispering negative, demeaning messages. You know what I mean, don't you? Claims like, "You can't even write a good letter; how could you ever take that college course?" "You'll never be any good at basketball; why are you wasting your time?" "You look so fat in that dress, and there is no way you will lose that weight in time. Who do you think you're kidding?" "You'll never get that job; there are too many more qualified applicants. Let's face it; you are stuck in that dead-end job for the rest of your life." "You will never find the right partner, geez; you are thirty-three years old, so forget it." "You will never get into shape; you're too lazy to get out of bed, much less go to a gym regularly." "God will never forgive you for what you've done, pal; he doesn't even like you."
I could continue for pages and never exhaust the terrible thoughts that make us feel insecure and keep us from being our best selves. This story has been around since Satan whispered in Eve's ear, telling her a destructive lie that haunted her for the rest of her life.
We know Moses as the one who stood down Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, climbed the mountain and came down with the Ten Commandments, stopped mighty armies with only his staff in hand, and led a group of obstinate people through a deserted wilderness for forty lousy years. Why in the world would this person ever be insecure?
Who knows, but he was. He presented his best protests when God called him from a sheep field. "There is no way I could do this. I am nothing, nobody, a dumb ole shepherd. Are you nuts, Lord? I stutter, and you are calling me to give speeches. No way! Where? Egypt, are you kidding me? The last time I was there, my bright idea and anger management problem nearly got me killed. Why should I give a rip about a bunch of ungrateful jerks who got me run out of town?" "Nobody is going to believe me anyway. You are sending me to my death, and I'm not interested."
Well, we all know how that worked out, right?
There's young Timothy, who decided to tag along with Paul through Asia Minor, thinking it would be an adventure, only to discover his new pal might get him killed. He learned that the Apostle to the Gentiles meant business when it came to the message of the Gospel. The former Pharisee was intelligent, well-educated, fearless, bold, and persistent, traits Tim found in short supply.
The longer the young evangelist hung out with Paul, the more afraid and timid he became. "I can't do anything this guy is doing. I'm afraid to speak in public or speak up when I should. I'm not very strong and have a low pain tolerance. I'd be talking to educated people twice my age. Nobody is going to listen to me. What in the world have I gotten myself into?"
Finally, the old mentor wrote his protégé a final letter. It basically said, "Timothy, enough of that crap! There will be no more stinkin', thinkin' going on in your little head! You be strong and courageous. You are smart, knowledgeable, skilled, and will become tenacious. Don't you ever let anyone look down on you because you're young. I've taught you everything you need to know to get this job done, so do it! Tim, I believe in you; I know you've got this. Go for it!"
And Timothy did it!
"Self-confidence is like having a personal assistant, always there to remind you of your worth and capabilities. Insecurity, on the other hand, is like having a personal critic, constantly pointing out your flaws and shortcomings."
God believes in you, and you should believe in you too. When those insecure messages start flooding your mind, stand in front of a mirror and say, "Enough of that! No more! I'm going to do what I know I want to do and should do no matter what. I've been created, called, and empowered by the God of the universe, who guarantees he will never desert me. Let's get on with it."
You have every reason to be self-confident or, better stated, God-confident.
Self-confidence is like a superhero's cape; it gives you the power to accomplish anything you set your mind to doing. Insecurity, on the other hand, is like a pair of lead boots, weighing you down and making it nearly impossible to take a step forward. So next time you feel unsure of yourself, just remember to put on your cape and leave those heavy boots behind.
Like the wonderful Dr. Seuss story states, "Kid, you're gonna go somewhere!"
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
