Insecurities

I have really been thinking a lot lately.  About the battles I've gone through over the years.  Probably my biggest battle has been and is insecurity.  Or making the mistake of putting my "security" in things that would only make me more insecure in the end.

Relationships, good grades, and most other things in life will come and go.  And putting our security in those things/people, will only make matters worse.  It will cause our insecurity to grow greater with each let down.

The one thing that we can put our security in is with Jesus.  He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  He will not disappoint us.  His love is the one thing that will remain throughout all circumstances.

The first part in battling insecurity is acknowledging the presence of insecurity. In order to fight it, you must first recognize it.

Secondly, you must refute whatever it is that it is telling you.  Do not let insecurity fill your mind.  It will try and sneak lies and assumptions into your head that will literally drive you mad.  Insecurity will cause you to do some things you would otherwise never consider doing.  Trust me, I have been there.

Instead, fill your mind with positive thoughts.  With the TRUTH!  Fill it with scripture, or pray, do what you need to in order to clear your mind of whatever insecurity is trying to tell you.

It's a battle, and it's not an easy one.  It is so easy to just give in and let security take over, but you are so much better off fighting it now, before it gets more out of hand.  YOU are more than your insecurity.  

God wants us to be secure! And we can be secure if we choose to be.  By putting our hope, our trust and our security in Him, we can have the security He wants for us.

When I began this journal entry, I didn't plan on making a chart on how to battle security, but that's what it resulted in.  So I want to leave you with some verses that may help encourage you, as well as myself, to attain the security Christ intended us to have through Him. 

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil" ~Hebrews 6:19

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~Psalm 18:2 

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble" ~Psalm 37:39

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." ~Psalm 46:1-2

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. " ~Isaiah 54:10

And I'll leave you with my favorite. Its John 14:17, Jesus says this Himself: 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Vision Onto Canvas

Last week I was feeling very overwhelmed and stressed.  I was dealing with the stress of school, paying for college textbooks, and other things. I was just in a funk for almost a week straight.  Well that Sunday I went to church and near the end of service, Pastor called for prayer time, and as I began to pray, God gave me this vision.

It was me and Jesus. I was trying to talk to Him and explain to Him everything I was feeling and going through.  But no words could come out of my mouth.  All I could do was just lay down and cry.  As I cried in His lap, He stroked my hair. Though I didn't hear Him say anything.  It was as if He was speaking to my soul, saying "Everything will be okay my dear child. Everything will be okay..."

And I couldn't get this image out of my mind.  I decided I wanted to try my hardest to convey this powerful image onto a canvas, so I took the challenge and this is what I came up with.  In no way does it give the actual image any justice, but it was the best I can do.

Remember, any time you need to talk to God, and can't find the words, sometimes the best you can do is just cry to Him. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us (Romans 8:26).

Also remember Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."