When insecurity rears its ugly head, do you ever stop to explore what is underneath the layers? Today, will you take a closer look and examine your heart to discover the focus of all your self-doubt? It might surprise you and help you to release those insecurities. After all, we don’t want them holding us back from what God has in store.
My Insecurities Held Me Back
My answer repeatedly was “no,” I can’t lead a mental health ministry. After all, it would require me to stand up and share in a public forum. Speaking in public is not my gig.
However, I remembered my prayers and pleas when I first started down this road. “Lord, please don’t let our pain go to waste.” Most likely, I would need to get over my self-doubts. #self-doubt #prayer #pain Click To TweetSo many people had been kind to me. They took the time and effort to reach back and help light the path. I, too, wanted to give back but not in a public arena.
They say be careful what you pray for, and this was no exception.
But God’s ideas of how I could give back made absolutely no sense to my human brain. I was sure He was not saying what I heard. Oh, I was strong but not self-confident enough to speak in front of a crowd. He prodded and pushed and put the right people in my path.
God Doesn’t Give Up
God is relentless, so I slowly started saying yes to small speaking engagements here and there. I would stand before others, out of obedience to God. My knees would shake, as my body swayed from foot to foot, and my voice quivered. But I did it even though I was filled to the brim with self-doubt. I was determined to be brave out of my love for God and my passion for helping others.
The Focus of My Self-Doubt
Then one day, I was getting ready to present, and all the self-doubt came rushing at me with a vengeance as it often does. I heard God whisper in my ear, “I see your obedience, but where is your focus?” Hmm, the thoughts that swirled through my head were – “My clothes aren’t right?” “My hair didn’t turn out.” “I hadn’t prepared enough?” “My voice was too high, and who do I think I am to believe I have something worthwhile to say?” After all, so many other people would be better equipped and more qualified.”
As I looked at every thought, it became apparent that all my thoughts pointed right back to ME, not to the one I wanted to honor. #God #self-doubt #focus Click To TweetWhen we find ourselves in a place of self-doubt, if we can begin to change the focus from ourselves to God, our self-doubt will start to lessen. Plus, if we take that extra step and surrender every insecurity into the hands of Jesus, we will find ourselves able to move forward.
Of course, someone else might be able to do the job better, but the point is God didn’t choose them. God will equip us for the task at hand. So, the next time you focus on all your self-doubt, stop for a minute, and focus on the Lord and see how easily you can let go of your insecurities.
How have you stepped out with courage when your self-doubt threatened to hold you back?
Featured Post
Ashley Rowland posted an insightful article last week in our Grace & Truth Link-Up. She gives us four simple reminders about our insecurities. They are powerful! Please share with us in the comments which one resonated the most with you. Mine was #2.
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“4 SIMPLY POWERFUL REMINDERS FOR INSECURITY”
Written by Ashley Rowland
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What is the focus of all your self-doubt? What helps you move beyond it?
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I think most of us can relate exactly to what you’re saying, Maree. We let our self-doubt because the focus, especially when it involves public speaking. But when we can remain zeroed in on the message that God has called us to share, it does help. Thanks for also sharing Ashley’s post here. I remember being moved by it when I first read it too.
Lisa,
Thank you! It is nice to know I am in good company. Blessings, Maree
Thank you for vulnerably sharing your story. You are so right. When we focus on ourselves, whether we think we can do it or not, we are in the wrong head and heart space.
Yes!! I hope your week has been good so far.
It’s so interesting that when God puts a call on our hearts, we are surprised and feel so in-equipped. I remember God asking me to do something once – and I was excited and overwhelmed, and wondered, “How can I?” – and then He pointed out how He had equipped me with all the skills for the task – same underlying skill set but with what He’d been brewing in me for years! It’s like God pulling a tablecloth off a set table to reveal what He’d had there all along – but I never realized! I love how God did the same with you!
I love your description of the tablecloth. Thank you for sharing it. I am glad to know I am not alone. Funny, we sit back, and it seems as though everyone else started accomplished, but of course, they didn’t.
I find God rarely asks me to do something I am good at, but instead, something that will keep dependent on HIM. He is so smart. Maree
Thank you so much for the feature, Maree!
I am just glad you wrote it. It was great!
There is so much truth in what you are saying! Oh, how self-doubt steals the momentum and joy out of what God calls me to do so often. But, when I take my eyes off my own inadequacy and focus on His goodness, God uses me to bless others. And, somehow, my mistakes don’t destroy what He is building when I am obedient to Him.
Christine – You are so right. Our mistakes don’t destroy what He is building. Don’t you find sometimes they are even part of God’s plan? Maree
It’s about focus isn’t it Maree, if we focus on the wave of self doubt it will overwhelm us & freeze us to the spot of “not good enough”, when He is more then enough for every task He asks us to do! 😉
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer – I love the way you use your words. God is more than enough! Maree
Yes, we are rather self-absorbed, aren’t we! Maree, thanks for being real … and reminding us Who we should be absorbed by.
Bless you!
Linda, Yes, it is so easy to get it all mixed up. I still do. Maree
I appreciated the way you shared your own struggle with insecurity and discovered that it was a form of self-focus that was getting in your way.
Michele,
Thank you! It is so easy to get self-focused, especially when you feel inadequate. Maree
All of Ashley’s points were great, but I think #3 resonated with me the most–that dealing with insecurities isn’t a once-for-all victory, but an ongoing struggle. While I wish they could be conquered forever, I think they fact that they aren’t keeps us more dependent on God.
Barbara,
I agree all of her points were great. Thank you for sharing which one resonated with you. Wouldn’t that be great if our insecurities could be conquered once and for all? However, you are so right they keep us dependent on God.