Insecurity. When you think of that word, what do you typically think of? Low self esteem, lack of self-confidence, someone who is unsure of themselves? The picture I get is of a person hiking beautiful mountains with gorgeous scenery at every turn, but they are slowed down and burdened by a bulky, heavy, awkward backpack full of self-doubt and second guessing. This illustration depicts one definition of insecurity – “having a lack of confidence”.
There is another type of insecurity and it means “exposed to danger or risk”. God actually designed this kind of danger as a warning that we are vulnerable to some sort of danger. Here’s the picture: take that same hiker. He is about to leave the safety of the trail and step out onto a rock that juts out from the mountain to get a picture of the gorgeous view. As he puts weight onto the rock, he gets a sense that it is not stable. He quickly removes his foot and returns to the path. That sense of insecurity is what exposed the danger.
So, this begs the question, “When we experience insecurity, how do we know if it’s the manifestation of our own lack of confidence or if it is a warning of risk or danger?”
Go back to the hiker. What’s behind him? The backpack! The heavy load that he is carrying that is hampering his progress. Self-doubt creates a burden. It pushes our shoulders and our eyes down. It draws us away from Christ to self, shrouding our true identity and it brings doubt and condemnation.
On the other hand, in the second illustration, a hidden danger was revealed to the hiker. This kind of insecurity pushes us TO Christ. It reveals our need for complete reliance upon God and Him alone. Vulnerability says, “Is this safe? Show me the way to go! I’m listening.” God will be faithful to keep our feet planted firmly on the path when we call on Him and when we know, believe and obey His Word. We must welcome this kind of “insecurity” because God purposes it to expose the things that could harm us.
By Kristine Morgan
Christ Fellowship